The Carolina Panthers are re-signing running back Raheem Blackshear to a one-year deal, according to NFL.com. After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech, Blackshear spent the 2022 preseason with the Buffalo Bills before landing with the Panthers, where he has been ever since. In his three-year NFL career, the 26-year-old has totaled 52 carries for 203 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and 16 receptions for 138 yards through the air in 41 games. With Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, and potentially Jonathon Brooks (knee) in the Carolina backfield next season, it would be a surprise if Blackshear ends up on the fantasy football radar.
Raheem Blackshear Takes A Backseat To Miles Sanders In Week 18
Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear earned lead running back duties in Week 17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) landing on the injured reserve. Blackshear finished with four carries for 47 yards in Sunday's 44-38 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Panthers activated Miles Sanders (ankle) off the injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game, and Blackshear took a clear backseat to Sanders in this one. In this matchup, he was out-touched by Sanders 17 to four. Although he only had four carries, he turned that into 47 total yards to provide some value for fantasy managers. Blackshear finishes the 2024 season with 15 carries for 80 yards. He will not be a recommended fantasy option for managers in 2025.
Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear rushed for 20 yards on eight carries during Sunday's Week 17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was not targeted in the passing game. Blackshear earned his first start of the season after Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) was placed on injured reserve Saturday morning. While Blackshear did lead the Panthers in carries and rushing yards, his inefficiency and lack of productivity certainly proved unfortunate for any fantasy managers streaming him in Week 17. Even with a slightly more favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18, Blackshear will remain off the fantasy radar going forward. The same goes for his fellow running back, Mike Boone, who had just 11 rushing yards on two carries.
Raheem Blackshear To Start For Panthers In Week 17
With Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) out for the final two games of the season, Raheem Blackshear will make the start in the backfield in Week 17 on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. ESPN's David Newton also suspects that Mike Boone, who was added to the 53-man active roster from the practice squad, will get a fair share of carries also. The Panthers are expected to give both Blackshear and Boone some touches as they play out the string in 2024. Neither back will be all that attractive for fantasy managers trying to win a championship in the final couple of weeks, but Blackshear should be the preferred flex dart throw in DFS contests in a plus matchup. The 26-year-old excelled as a pass-catcher out of the backfield in college and should have slightly more upside in PPR leagues, but he's averaged just 3.4 yards a carry on 40 rushing attempts in his three NFL seasons.
Raheem Blackshear Headed For Bigger Role In The Last Two Weeks
The Carolina Panthers placed lead running back Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Saturday, meaning that Raheem Blackshear will now be elevated to a prominent role in Carolina's backfield for the final two weeks of the season. The 26-year-old is currently the only healthy RB on the Panthers' roster, but the team will surely elevate Mike Boone from the practice squad for the Week 17 contest on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fantasy managers that had been riding Hubbard's excellent season could now pivot to Blackshear, although he shouldn't be viewed as much more than a last-minute RB3/flex pivot in a matchup against a Tampa defense that has allowed the fewest half-PPR points to RBs in the last five weeks. Blackshear's role will grow for sure, but he could also be splitting valuable touches with Boone.
Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear (chest) is officially inactive for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Blackshear suffered a contusion last week, and while there was a chance he'd get healthy in time to face Dallas, that's ultimately not the case. With both Blackshear and Jonathon Brooks (torn ACL) sidelined, Carolina will proceed with Chuba Hubbard leading the way while Mike Boone and Velus Jones Jr. fill depth roles.
Raheem Blackshear, Tommy Tremble Active For Week 2
Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear (personal) and tight end Tommy Tremble (hamstring, back) are both active for Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers. They had been listed as questionable entering the weekend. Blackshear was absent from practice this week for personal matters, but it appears he's good to go for Sunday's home game. Although he remains a depth option in Carolina's backfield, he offers plenty of value on special teams as the Panthers' primary kick returner. With the Panthers susceptible to surrendering plenty of scores, Blackshear could be busy returning kickoffs this season. He's only a worthwhile fantasy option in leagues that award points for return yards. Meanwhile, Tremble is suiting up after being limited on Friday. He was inactive in Week 1 and figures to poach snaps from rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders. Even without a clear top tight end in Carolina, there's no real path to fantasy relevance for Tremble.
The Carolina Panthers have agreed on a deal with running back Raheem Blackshear. The two sides have agreed on a one year deal worth $985,000 for the 2024 season. The 24-year-old will return to Carolina after spending each of the last two seasons with the organization. He has mainly been used as a reserve back and special teams player. Through two seasons, Blackshear has 37 carries for 123 yards and three touchdowns in 25 games. There is unlikely to be fantasy value here unless Carolina loses one or two running backs due to injury.
Raheem Blackshear Could Be Outlet Option In Backfield
Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear didn't have a ton of success during his rookie season in 2022. However, Blackshear was one of the few names that head coach Frank Reich mentioned as a standout during spring practices. The belief is that Blackshear could emerge as an outlet option for quarterback Bryce Young. The Panthers don't have a legitimate pass-catcher in the backfield. Both Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard aren't very efficient on passing downs. That being said, Blackshear has a chance to earn himself a bigger role in Carolina. He caught 123 passes during his five seasons in college. Possibly, Blackshear ends up as the primary pass-catcher in the backfield next season. Fantasy managers shouldn't put Blackshear on the fantasy radar yet, but he's a name to watch during training camp.
Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear could be in line to see a bigger role in the offense this year under new head coach Frank Reich. The coaching staff has liked what they've seen so far from Blackshear in offseason workouts after he was signed by the team last September. The 25-year-old former undrafted free agent played in 13 games (one start) in 2022 and had just 23 carries for 77 yards and three touchdowns while adding 10 receptions for 93 yards. D'Onta Foreman is now gone, but the Panthers added Miles Sanders as their lead back for the 2023 campaign. Chuba Hubbard is also still around, but Blackshear could carve out a bigger pass-catching role behind Sanders this year, making him one to keep an eye on in deep PPR fantasy leagues.
Raheem Blackshear
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Panthers
