Reggie

Bonnafon

Bonnafon struggled to stick on the 53-man roster last year, as well, and became a long shot when the Panthers drafted Chuba Hubbard. Already 25 years old, Bonnafon has no Dynasty league future.

Bonnafon was promoted for each of the past two games but is still technically a practice squadder. He will now be sidelined 4-6 weeks, and can safely be dropped in all formats of fantasy. Christian McCaffrey will be back by the time Bonnafon is healthy. The Panthers are now down to journeyman pass-catcher/special teamer Trenton Cannon behind Mike Davis. A move is going to need to be made.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said McCaffrey is “attacking rehab every day” on his way back from a Week 2 ankle injury. It looks like CMC could be active for Carolina’s Week 6 game against the Bears. He could also return the following week against New Orleans. Mike Davis has filled in admirably for McCaffrey, playing 76 percent of the team’s offensive snaps and getting 37 percent of the Panthers’ total opportunity (rushes plus targets). Davis has 202 total yards in two starts this season. While Reggie Bonnafon cut into Davis’ Week 4 playing time, he remains a strong PPR start in Week 5.

Bonnafon adds depth with Christian McCaffrey (ankle) on IR. Mike Davis is expected to start, with Trenton Cannon mixing in. Bonnafon will serve as the No. 3 back.

Bonnafon was Christian McCaffrey’s top backup last season under coach Ron Rivera, but the new staff decided to go in a different direction with Mike Davis and Trenton Cannon for the time being. Perhaps Bonnafon will get a second chance in Washington under Rivera and OC Scott Turner. He had an impressive 16-116-1 rushing line last season with six catches for 57 yards. The Panthers have also waived/released DT Myles Adams, DB Quin Blanding, OT Branden Bowen, DT Woodrow Hamilton, DT Bruce Hector, OG Mike Horton, DB Jameson Houston, WR Ishmael Hyman, DB Natrell Jamerson, DE Jalen Jelks, LB Jordan Kunaszyk, DE Austin Larkin, WR Marken Michel, OT Aaron Monterio, LB James Onwualu, LB Chris Orr, WR Cam Phillips, TE Giovanni Ricci, WR Darrell Stewart, C Sam Tecklenburg, TE Colin Thompson, K/P Kaare Vedvik, DB T.J. Green and TE Temarrick Hemingway.

Bonnafon was an exclusive rights free agent, meaning he could either re-sign with the Panthers or take his ball and go home. A second-year UDFA in 2019, Bonnafon was the Panthers’ “No. 2 running back,” but that amounted to just 67 snaps and 22 touches behind Christian McCaffrey. Bonnafon did average 7.3 yards on 16 carries. It’s not a guarantee the 24-year-old is handed No. 2 duties in 2020, but he is obviously in the driver’s seat.

Bonnafon saw a little more run than usual after the Panthers pulled a history-making Christian McCaffrey in the second half. A second-year UDFA out of Louisville, Bonnafon surprisingly emerged as the Panthers’ clear-cut No. 2 back this season, but it’s a role that produced just 23 touches all year. It’s far from a guarantee the soon-to-be 24-year-old keeps No. 2 duties for 2020. The Panthers have been playing with fire having so little depth behind workhorse CMC.

The Panthers’ No. 2 RB didn’t have a touch until Christian McCaffrey was benched down 44-13 in the fourth quarter. He’s nothing more than a handcuff for CMC owners, but note that it’d be difficult to expect McCaffrey’s astronomical workload to be fully transitioned to a mere mortal like Bonnafon.

Bonnafon finally got a mini-extended look late in last week’s win over the Jaguars while Christian McCaffrey was dealing with cramps. Bonnafon capitalized on it and turned five carries into 80 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown scamper. McCaffrey is fine for Week 6 against the Bucs, but Bonnafon would have league-winning upside if McCaffrey ever gets hurt. He needs to be owned across all formats as a top-end handcuff.

Yes, a running back not named Christian McCaffrey touched the ball for the Panthers, and this time it resulted in splendid success. With McCaffrey dealing with cramps, Bonnafon entered for the final two or so series and gashed the Jaguars for a 59-yard touchdown, looking fast and smooth in relief. Perhaps this leads to an expanded opportunity for Bonnafon in the coming weeks in the hope of keeping CMC fresh in the final few minutes of games.