Raheem Blackshear - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Bound for free agency The Lions released Blackshear (undisclosed) from their injured reserve list with an injury settlement Tuesday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact Detroit placed Blackshear on its injured reserve list Monday, and the club is now cutting ties with him altogether just one day later. Once he's deemed healthy enough for football activities again, he'll be eligible to suit up for any team willing to sign him.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on injured reserve The Lions placed Blackshear (undisclosed) on injured reserve Monday.

Impact The nature of Blackshear's injury is unclear, though he may have sustained the injury during the Lions' 17-13 preseason win over the Commanders on Saturday. However, his placement on injured reserve means he'll be sidelined for the 2026 season, though an injury settlement would allow Blackshear to sign and play with a team once fully healthy.

AUGUST 24 • ROTOWIRE

HIGHLIGHT: Blackshear rumbles through Bengals' D for 24 yards Detroit Lions running back Raheem Blackshear rumbles through Bengals' D for 24 yards.

AUGUST 14 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Catches on with Detroit The Lions signed Blackshear on Tuesday.

Impact Blackshear spent time on the practice squads of the Titans, Steelers and Jets last year but didn't end up playing in a regular-season game. He'll now have the chance to compete for a spot on the Lions' 53-man roster as a depth backfield option and contributor on special teams.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

Lions Add Running Back Depth With Signing of Raheem Blackshear Raheem Blackshear joins running back room after Vaki injury.

AUGUST 4 • SI.COM

Back with practice squad Blackshear reverted to the Jets' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Impact Blackshear was elevated to the active roster prior to Sunday's 35-8 loss to the Bills, ultimately not appearing in the contest. The running back spent time with both the Steelers' and Jets' practice squads in 2025, and he'll now enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated for Week 18 The Jets elevated Blackshear from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Impact Blackshear joined the Jets' practice squad Tuesday and could immediately be active with Breece Hall (knee) ruled out. Blackshear is more likely to contribute on special teams as a returner than on offense, though he could handle a couple of carries.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Jets' Breece Hall questionable for season finale against Bills, Isaiah Williams voted team MVP

New York Jets running back Breece Hall is questionable for Sunday's season finale against the Buffalo Bills

JANUARY 2 • Associated Press

Catches on with Gang Green The Jets signed Blackshear to the practice squad Tuesday, Susanna Weir of the team's official site reports.

Impact Blackshear has not appeared in a regular-season game in 2025 and was on the Steelers' practice squad before being cut in late October. He could be elevated to the Jets' active roster for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bills if either or both of Breece Hall (knee) and Isaiah Davis (concussion) were unable to play.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cut from Steelers' practice squad Pittsburgh cut Blackshear from the practice squad Tuesday.

Impact Blackshear inked with the Steelers' practice squad Oct. 6, but he wasn't elevated for game action during his tenure with the team. The veteran running back logged a similar stint with Tennessee late September. Blackshear will now work to resurface as an emergency depth option elsewhere in the league.

OCTOBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Finds work in Pittsburgh Blackshear signed with the Steelers' practice squad Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Blackshear was dropped by the Panthers with an injury settlement in late August and spent time with the Titans' practice squad in late September. However, he's since found a new home in Pittsburgh and could be elevated for the Week 6 matchup against the Browns if Jaylen Warren (knee) is unable to return.

OCTOBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Parts ways with Tennessee The Titans cut Blackshear from their practice squad Monday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Impact Tennessee signed Blackshear to a practice-squad deal Sept. 23, but the former Carolina Panther wasn't given much time to make an impression. The Titans instead opted to take a look at fellow running back Blake Watson, who was signed to the practice squad in a move corresponding with Blackshear's departure.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Joins Tennessee's practice squad The Titans signed Blackshear to their practice squad Tuesday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

Impact Blackshear spent training camp with Carolina before being waived in late August. He spent his first three NFL seasons with the Panthers, tallying 203 yards and three touchdowns on 52 carries while adding 138 receiving yards on 16 receptions. Blackshear has also spent a lot of time as a kick and punt returner, which could help him in his bid to eventually make his way back to gameday action.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gets look from Minnesota The Vikings hosted Blackshear (ankle) for a workout Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Blackshear reached an injury settlement with the Panthers in late August after reverting to the team's injured reserve due to an ankle injury. He appears to have fully recovered from the injury and is attempting to catch on with a team in need of backfield depth on the practice squad.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Carolina Panthers waive their starting kick returner of the past 2 seasons Raheem Blackshear finished second in the NFL last season with 791 kick return yards.

AUGUST 26, 2025 • THESTATE.COM

Let go from Carolina The Panthers cut Blackshear (ankle) on Tuesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Impact Blackshear appeared in 16 regular-season games for the Panthers last season, rushing 15 times for 80 yards as a deep reserve. He also returned 17 punts for 145 yards and 31 kickoffs for 791 yards. The Panthers are currently rolling with Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle and rookie Trevor Etienne in their backfield. Jonathon Brooks (knee) is expected to miss the 2025 campaign.

AUGUST 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers beat Panthers 19-10 in preseason finale, but lose 1st-round pick Harmon to sprained knee

Skylar Thompson shined in the Pittsburgh Steelers' 19-10 preseason victory over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night

AUGUST 22, 2025 • Associated Press

Suffers ankle injury Blackshear (ankle) is questionable to return to Thursday's preseason contest against the Steelers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Blackshear sustained an ankle injury in the third quarter, which could bring his night to an early end. The running back logged 11 carries for 35 yards, while also catching both of his targets for eight yards prior to his departure.

AUGUST 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Raheem Blackshear bursts through line on way to 17-yard gain Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear bursts through line on way to 17-yard gain.

AUGUST 22, 2025 • NFL.COM

Re-signs with Carolina Blackshear is signing a one-year contract with the Panthers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact The 2022 UDFA played 41 games for Carolina the past three seasons, taking 68 touches for 341 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns, 66 kickoff returns for 1,734 yards and 23 punt returns for 200 yards. Blackshear returned both kicks and punts in 2024, but he didn't get a restricted-free-agent tender earlier this offseason and now returns to the Panthers on a cheaper contract. He'll likely be third or fourth on the depth chart at running back, behind Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle at the very least.

APRIL 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers agree to terms with Raheem Blackshear The veteran running back and returner adds depth to the offense, after agreeing to a new deal on Tuesday.

APRIL 1, 2025 • PANTHERS.COM

Panthers insider predicted more of the same for players like Raheem Blackshear With the NFL Combine winding down the Carolina Panthers enter the next phase of their offseason. Before the market opens with the new league...

MARCH 3, 2025 • SI.COM

Won't be tendered The Panthers aren't planning to tender Blackshear, which will make him an unrestricted free agent, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Blackshear entered the offseason as a restricted free agent, so the Panthers could ensure they keep him by tendering him and matching any offer from another club. However, Carolina doesn't appear to be taking that direction, which will instead allow Blackshear to enter unrestricted free agency. The 26-year-old saw limited work on offense in 2024 (his third NFL campaign), compiling 15 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown over 16 contests without getting any looks in the passing game. However, he served as Carolina's top kickoff and punt returner, so the Panthers will need to find a replacement for those roles if they do indeed elect to part ways with Blackshear.

MARCH 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Efficient in regular-season finale Blackshear rushed four times for 47 yards in Sunday's 44-38 overtime win over the Falcons.

Impact The Virginia Tech product returned to his reserve role, playing behind Miles Sanders, who delivered a monster performance in Sunday's overtime win with 20 touches for 116 yards and a touchdown. Blackshear was extremely effective with his limited opportunities, rushing for 47 yards on just four carries (11.8 yards per carry), including a 27-yard run in the second quarter that helped set up a Panthers touchdown. The 26-year-old appeared in 16 games for Carolina this season, totaling 80 rushing yards on just 15 carries. He also added 791 kick return yards and 145 punt return yards, serving as the Panthers' primary return specialist throughout the year.

JANUARY 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back to reserve role Sunday Blackshear is expected to cede the start at running back to Miles Sanders (ankle) on Sunday in Atlanta, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Blackshear got the first chance to lead the backfield in the wake of Chuba Hubbard (knee) landing on IR prior to Week 17, but despite handling a 77 percent snap share last Sunday at Tampa Bay, the former had eight carries for 20 yards and wasn't targeted. Now with Sanders off injured reserve, he's in line to swap in for Blackshear, which isn't much of a surprise considering his vast experience as a No. 1 back. Blackshear thus will be vying with Mike Boone for complementary reps behind Sanders on Sunday.

JANUARY 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Jets' Breece Hall questionable for season finale against Bills, Isaiah Williams voted team MVP

Steelers beat Panthers 19-10 in preseason finale, but lose 1st-round pick Harmon to sprained knee