Blackshear signed with the Steelers' practice squad Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
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.
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Raheem Blackshear: Parts ways with Tennessee
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The Titans cut Blackshear from their practice squad Monday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
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.
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Raheem Blackshear: Joins Tennessee's practice squad
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The Titans signed Blackshear to their practice squad Tuesday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.
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 game-day action.
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Raheem Blackshear: Let go from Carolina
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The Panthers waived Blackshear (ankle) with an injury settlement Tuesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
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.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Suffers ankle injury
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Blackshear (ankle) is questionable to return to Thursday's preseason contest against the Steelers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
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.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Efficient in regular-season finale
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Blackshear rushed four times for 47 yards in Sunday's 44-38 overtime win over the Falcons.
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 added 791 kick return yards and 145 punt return yards, serving as the Panthers' primary return specialist throughout the year.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Primed for Week 17 start
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Blackshear will start at running back in Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
With Chuba Hubbard (knee/calf) joining Jonathon 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.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: On track for added work
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Blackshear is expected to see added work during the Panthers' final two regular season games with Chuba Hubbard (calf/knee) set to be placed on injured reserve Saturday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
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. Blackshear and Boone will most likely to share backfield work in Week 17, though to what extent is unclear.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Gets three carries Sunday
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Blackshear took three carries for 13 yards in Sunday's 36-30 overtime win over the Cardinals.
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 for the remainder of the season. He will next take the field in the Week 17 matchup against the Buccaneers.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Downgraded to out
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Blackshear (chest) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
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.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Limited again Friday
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Blackshear (chest) remained limited in Friday's practice, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
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.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Upgrades to limited practice
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Blackshear (chest) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
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.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Misses Wednesday's practice
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Blackshear (chest) didn't practice Wednesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Blackshear's absence from Wednesday's practice comes as no surprise, as the Virginia Tech product sustained a serious-looking chest injury in the Panthers' Week 14 loss to the Eagles. While he's since been released from the hospital and doesn't appear to be sidelined for a long period of time, he'll likely need to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday in order to play in Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Undergoes further tests at hospital
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Head coach Dave Canales relayed after Sunday's 22-16 loss to the Eagles that Blackshear was taken to a local Philadelphia hospital due to a chest injury, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Blackshear suffered a chest injury in the first half of Sunday's game and was ruled out after being taken to the locker room. He underwent additional testing at the hospital, but the good news for him is that he has been discharged and will travel with the team back to Carolina, per Kassidy Hill of the Panthers' official site. Rookie running back Jonathon Brooks was carted off the field due to knee injury, so if Blackshear is able to suit up against the Cowboys in Week 15, he would operate as the Panthers' No. 2 running back behind Chuba Hubbard. If both Brooks and Blackshear were to miss time, the Panthers could look to sign or elevate Mike Boone or Emani Bailey from the practice squad to the active roster.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Won't return to Week 14 matchup
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Blackshear (chest) has been ruled out from returning to Sunday's contest versus Philadelphia, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Blackshear was hurt in the first half and won't be able to return. In his absence, Deven Thompkins has stepped in to work as Carolina's primary kick and punt returner. Blackshear doesn't typically play much on offense, but his injury could lead to Chuba Hubbard having to handle nearly all of the Panthers' backfield work, as No. 2 RB Jonathon Brooks also exited early Sunday due to a knee injury.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Dealing with chest injury
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Blackshear is questionable to return to Sunday's Week 14 game against Philadelphia due to a chest issue, Kassidy Hill of the Panthers' official site reports.
Blackshear's activity prior to getting hurt included a 26-yard kick return and a one-yard punt return. After his exit, Deven Thompkins came on field for the next Eagles punt. Blackshear typically plays almost exclusively on special teams, as he doesn't have a touch over 11 offensive snaps this season.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Logs full practice Thursday
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Blackshear (shoulder) was a full participant during Thursday's practice session.
Despite suffering a dislocated shoulder during the Panthers' Week 7 loss to the Commanders, Blackshear has been able to log consecutive full practices to start the week. He's listed as day-to-day with the injury, but it appears that he should be good to go for Sunday's game against the Broncos. Through the first seven games of the regular season, Blackshear has logged 589 kick-return yards and 94 punt-return yards.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Considered day-to-day
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Blackshear suffered a dislocated shoulder in Sunday's loss to the Commanders, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Blackshear suffered the injury on a second-half kickoff and was unable to return to the game. Based on the day-to-day timeline given, the Virginia Tech product may have a chance to suit up Week 8 against the Broncos. More clarity on his chances to do so will likely come later in the week when the Panthers release their first injury report.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Questionable for Sunday
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Blackshear (personal) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Blackshear missed practice both Thursday and Friday due to a personal matter, but according to the Panthers' injury report, he still has a chance to suit up Sunday. If the 26-year-old running back isn't able to play in Week 2, expect rookie Xavier Legette to assume Carolina's top kick and punt return duties, per Joe Person of The Athletic.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Carolina's top return man
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Blackshear is set to serve as the Panthers' top kick and punt returner after the team parted ways with Ihmir Smith-Marsette on Wednesday, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.
Smith-Marsette's waiving comes as a bit of a surprise, as the fourth-year wideout finished sixth in the NFL with 322 punt return yards last season. Nevertheless, Blackshear has amassed 943 kick return yards on 35 attempts across his two seasons in Carolina, and he's now expected to have the opportunity to return punts as well in 2024. The Panthers could also use David Moore as a return man at some point this season, per Reed, but it appears that it's Blackshear's job to lose at this point.
