Blackshear will return to Carolina for a fourth season with the Panthers. Mostly used as a special teams player Blackshear, 25, has sometimes been used as an emergency running back. He has 203 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns over his three seasons with the Panthers.

Blackshear would have been a restricted free agent had the Panthers opted to tender him. Now, the fourth-year running back and special teamer will be free to sign with any team when the new league year kicks off. Blackshear led the league with 31 kick returns last year and racked up 791 kick return yards — a career-high. He also returned a career-high 17 punts for 145 yards. Blackshear won’t be pushing for a significant running back role any time soon, but he’ll likely find a new home in the offseason with a chance to compete for a special teams role.

Blackshear drew the start with Chuba Hubbard out for the final two weeks of the season. He out-carried Mike Boone 8-2, though Boone was the only back to see a target. On the receiving end of a blowout, Carolina had no chance to establish a ground game, dooming Blackshear in his first start of the year. Blackshear will be a desperation RB4 when the Panthers travel to Atlanta for their 2024 finale next week.

Blackshear missed Week 15 with the chest issue but should be good to go after opening the week with a full session. With Jonathon Brooks and Miles Sanders on injured reserve, Blackshear will likely split the RB2 duties with Mike Boone, though neither is on the fantasy radar for Week 16.