Who Should I Start? Raheem Blackshear or Gary Brightwell

Tuesday, July 1, 9:30 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear will "almost exclusively be a special teams player" in 2025 if the team elects to keep a fourth RB around beyond training camp, writes The Charlotte Observer's Alex Zietlow. The Panthers only kept three RBs a year ago. Even with rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) out for most of last season, Blackshear didn't have a single rushing attempt until Week 16. The 27-year-old will primarily be competing with David Moore, Jimmy Horn Jr. and Hunter Renfrow for a spot on the team's 53-man roster as a return option. The former undrafted free agent in 2022 has had 68 touches for 341 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on offense for the Panthers in the last three years while adding 66 kickoff returns for 1,734 yards and 23 punt returns for 200 yards. He's off the fantasy radar in the vast majority of leagues.

Tuesday, October 29, 2:51 PM

The Cleveland Browns are releasing running back Gary Brightwell from the practice squad on Tuesday, according to NFL.com. The 2021 sixth-round pick out of Arizona spent the first three seasons of his career with the New York Giants before joining Cleveland's roster this year. He played in two games in 2024 but did not log a carry or reception. Overall, the 26-year-old has rushed 41 times for 164 yards and one touchdown in 37 career games.