Raheem

Blackshear

In addition to Blackshear, the Bears also hosted Israel Abanikanda, Montrell Johnson, and ShunDerrick Powell. Starting running back D’Andre Swift did not play in Week 9 due to a groin injury, leading to Kyle Monangai having a monstrous 29-touch workload in a win over the Bengals. The Bears may be evaluating their options should Swift miss more time, looking to add depth. None of the four backs were signed, but a situation to watch as the week of practices unfolds.

A good kick returner hits the wire with an injury settlement. The Panthers will move forward with Trevor Etienne and Jimmy Horn Jr. for punts and kickoffs this year.

Blackshear will return to Carolina for a fourth season with the Panthers. Mostly used as a special teams player Blackshear, 25, has sometimes been used as an emergency running back. He has 203 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns over his three seasons with the Panthers.

Blackshear would have been a restricted free agent had the Panthers opted to tender him. Now, the fourth-year running back and special teamer will be free to sign with any team when the new league year kicks off. Blackshear led the league with 31 kick returns last year and racked up 791 kick return yards — a career-high. He also returned a career-high 17 punts for 145 yards. Blackshear won’t be pushing for a significant running back role any time soon, but he’ll likely find a new home in the offseason with a chance to compete for a special teams role.

Blackshear drew the start with Chuba Hubbard out for the final two weeks of the season. He out-carried Mike Boone 8-2, though Boone was the only back to see a target. On the receiving end of a blowout, Carolina had no chance to establish a ground game, dooming Blackshear in his first start of the year. Blackshear will be a desperation RB4 when the Panthers travel to Atlanta for their 2024 finale next week.

Blackshear missed Week 15 with the chest issue but should be good to go after opening the week with a full session. With Jonathon Brooks and Miles Sanders on injured reserve, Blackshear will likely split the RB2 duties with Mike Boone, though neither is on the fantasy radar for Week 16.

Carolina signed Mike Boone off their own practice squad and Boone will backup Chuba Hubbard today. Velus Jones Jr. is also on the depth chart, but will likely replace Blackshear on special teams. Jadeveon Clowney (knee), Josey Jewell (hamstring), and Jaycee Horn (groin) are playing on questionable tags. Also inactive for Carolina are: S Nick Scott, CB Shemar Bartholomew, CB Akayleb Evans, LB Trevin Wallace, OL Jarrett Kingston, and DT Sam Roberts.

With Jonathon Brooks and Miles Sanders on injured reserve, Blackshear is in line for RB2 duties in Carolina if healthy. Recently signed Velus Jones is listed as a receiver by the Panthers but played some running back with the Bears before being cut. He would seemingly be the team’s backup without Blackshear, though Mike Boone is also waiting in the wings on the practice squad. All of this is to say, expect plenty of Chuba Hubbard to close out the year.

Blackshear’s health normally wouldn’t change the fantasy landscape in the slightest, but with Jonathon Brooks and Miles Sanders both out, Blackshear is the next man up for RB2 duties in Charlotte. Blackshear’s absence would lock Chubba Hubbard in for nearly every available snap at running back in Week 15.

Blackshear was an exclusive rights free agent, so this was the only game in town. He saw 20 touches last season after that number was 33 in 2022. He’s a deep reserve who needs to maintain a role as a core special teamer.