RAHEEM BLACKSHEAR NEWS

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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • ROTOWIRE

Unremarkable as lead back Blackshear rushed eight times for 20 yards and recovered a fumble in the Panthers' 48-14 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Impact Blackshear got first crack at filling the lead-back role in the wake of Chuba Hubbard's (calf/knee) placement on injured reserve, but the third-year pro unsurprisingly found tough sledding against the Buccaneers' typically dominant run defense. Blackshear wasn't targeted in the contest despite being a proven pass catcher out of the backfield since college, but he could have a chance at a more favorable game script overall in the Week 18 finale against the Falcons.

DECEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Primed for Week 17 start Blackshear will start at running back in Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact With Chuba Hubbard (knee/calf) joining Jonathan Brooks (knee) and Miles Sanders (ankle) on injured reserve earlier in the week, Blackshear will be the next man up in the Carolina backfield, though he won't necessarily be tasked with handling Hubbard's three-down workhorse role. Since entering the NFL in 2022, Blackshear has seen the bulk of his action on special teams, where he's shined as a return man. However, the 5-foot-9, 190-pound Blackshear was an accomplished receiver in college, producing a 123-1,213-7 receiving line over five seasons between Rutgers and Virginia Tech. Blackshear should thus have some extra appeal as a lineup option or DFS play in PPR formats with the likelihood that Carolina keeps him involved in the passing game, though the Panthers may not ask the diminutive running back to take on heavy volume on the ground. Mike Boone and Velus Jones are also on hand as options out of the backfield and could carve out roles in the Week 17 game plan.

DECEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

On track for added work With Chuba Hubbard (calf/knee) slated to be placed on IR, Blackshear is in line to see added work during the Panthers' final two regular season games, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports...

Impact Aside from Hubbard, Blackshear is currently the only other running back on the Panthers' 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, but Mike Boone and Emani Bailey are on the team's practice squad, with Schefter noting Saturday that Blackshear and Boone (pending his elevation) are likely to share backfield work in Week 17.

DECEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Gets three carries Sunday Blackshear took three carries for 13 yards in Sunday's 36-30 overtime win over the Cardinals.

Impact The 26-year-old entered Sunday's contest without a rushing attempt this season, but with Miles Sanders (ankle) and Jonathon Brooks (knee) both sidelined, Blackshear stepped in and served as Carolina's No. 2 running back, playing behind Chuba Hubbard. Blackshear made the most of his three carries, averaging 4.33 yards per attempt. His performance in Week 16 likely solidified his role as the Panthers' top backup running back spot for the remainder of the season. He will next take the field in the Week 17 matchup against the Buccaneers.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Full go for Wednesday Blackshear (chest) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Blackshear missed Carolina's Week 15 loss to the Cowboys after sustaining a chest injury the game prior; however, Wednesday's full practice session suggests he's already moved past the issue. The Virginia Tech product will likely have a larger offensive role for the remainder of the season, serving as the Panthers' No. 2 running back with Jonathon Brooks (knee) and Miles Sanders (ankle) both on injured reserve.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Full go for Wednesday Blackshear (chest) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Blackshear missed Carolina's Week 15 loss to the Cowboys after sustaining a chest injury the game prior; however, Wednesday's full practice session suggests he's already moved past the issue. The Virginia Tech product will likely have a larger offensive role for the remainder of the season, serving as the Panthers' No. 2 running back with Jonathon Brooks (knee) and Miles Sanders (ankle) both on injured reserve.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Downgraded to out Blackshear (chest) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

Impact The absence of Blackshear considerably limits the backfield options for the Panthers, as Jonathon Brooks (knee) and Miles Sanders (ankle) are also on injured reserve. Mike Boone, who was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, is expected to serve as the backup to Chuba Hubbard, although Velus Jones could also compete for touches.

DECEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Limited again Friday Blackshear (chest) remained limited in Friday's practice, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact With Jonathon Brooks (knee) and Miles Sanders (ankle) both on injured reserve, Blackshear is suddenly Carolina's RB2 behind Chuba Hubbard. Behind him on the depth chart is WR-turned-RB Velus Jones, so Blackshear's availability is important. Back-to-back limited practices after a Wednesday DNP would suggest Blackshear has a decent chance to play Sunday against Dallas.

DECEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Upgrades to limited practice Blackshear (chest) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Impact Blackshear was unable to practice in any capacity Wednesday, so it's encouraging to see his activity level increase. With Jonathon Brooks (knee - ACL) done for the year, Blackshear could see increased depth opportunities behind starter Chuba Hubbard if he's able to suit up for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

DECEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE