Carolina Panthers add RB Darrin Reaves from practice squad
By Phil Watson
For all of their backfield riches, the Carolina Panthers were staring at a rather thin cupboard heading into Sunday night’s prime time matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
DeAngelo Williams is questionable with a hamstring problem that bothered him in last week’s win over the Detroit Lions. Mike Tolbert was knocked out of the same game with a rib injury and Fozzy Whitaker sustained a thigh injury and is doubtful for this week.
More from Carolina Panthers
- NFL rumors: Eagles RB1 hint, Bryce Young shows out, C.J. Stroud slow play
- NFL Power Rankings: Who is the best quarterback in each division?
- Carolina Panthers RB has a truly wild Andy Dalton take
- NFL Power Rankings: Which teams will have the best rushing attacks this season?
- Bryce Young has one fiery obstacle in the way of his starting job
Suddenly, Jonathan Stewart was the last healthy running back standing, although Tolbert is listed as probable.
So the Panthers signed running back Darrin Reaves from the practice squad, according to their transactions report.
Reaves was an undrafted free agent out of UAB who was among the final cuts last month. He led the Blazers in rushing each of the last two years, finishing with 928 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2013 after cracking the 1,000-yard mark (1,037) as a junior in 2012.
He had eight carries for 19 yards and a touchdown in Carolina’s opening preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, but did not play the rest of the preseason.
The Panthers are 2-0, but their running game is near the bottom of the NFL—ranking 25th through two weeks at 87.5 yards per game. Williams is their leading rusher with 72 yards on 14 carries and Stewart has been held to 57 yards on 24 attempts, but has Carolina’s lone rushing touchdown.
More from
NFL: Saints, Colts among 5 teams that will turn it around
49ers promote TE Asante Cleveland
Coughlin OKs music on Giants’ practice field
Lindsay Lohan’s odd first-round pick in fantasy football
Another setback for Chargers LB Ingram