The Panthers cut Artis-Payne on Friday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 2015 fifth-round pick spent the past four years in Carolina, taking 118 carries for 491 yards and five touchdowns in 32 games. The Panthers' decision to cut Artis-Payne suggests rookie fifth-round pick Jordan Scarlett will enter Week 1 with the No. 2 spot on the depth chart at running back. It's also a good sign for Reggie Bonnafon and Elijah Holyfield.

Artis-Payne rushed twice for six yards and caught his lone target for four yards in Thursday night's 25-19 preseason win over the Steelers.

EDGE Analysis

Artis-Payne started at tailback after not playing any offensive snaps in Carolina's third exhibition outing. Although the veteran didn't feature for long Thursday, him opening the game helps his outlook compared to last week. Still, with rookie fifth-rounder Jordan Scarlett totaling 47 yards and a touchdown and Reggie Bonnafon flashing again behind him, Artis-Payne's standing on the team should be worthwhile to monitor as roster cuts and depth charts are released ahead of Week 1. His experience in the Panthers offense would offer reassurance as Christian McCaffrey's backup early on, but Scarlett and Bonnafon have also made decent claims for spare snaps.

Artis-Payne didn't play any offensive snaps in Thursday night's 10-3 preseason loss to the Patriots.

EDGE Analysis

Artis-Payne merely featured on two special teams plays. Meanwhile, rookie fifth-rounder Jordan Scarlett entered the game behind star tailback Christian McCaffrey and led the team with 10 carries. Although Elijah Holyfield's mere one snap on offense should somewhat relieve Artis-Payne, Reggie Bonnafon has shown enough in the preseason to cast doubt over both players' futures with the Panthers. With that in mind, it'll be interesting to see how the running back snaps are divided in next week's exhibition finale versus the Steelers.

Artis-Payne rushed five times for eight yards and caught both his targets for 30 yards in Thursday night's 23-13 preseason win over the Bears.

EDGE Analysis

Artis-Payne started at tailback for the Panthers and registered a 17-yard reception on the team's second offensive play. He then hauled in a 13-yarder on the second play of Carolina's second drive, but otherwise was held in check. The veteran was replaced by Elijah Holyfield in the second quarter, and although the rookie would score two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) while featuring until the end of the game, he also lost a fumble. That performance left a mixed impression as Holyfield aims to move up the depth chart, and the incumbent second-stringer Artis-Payne should get more time to show his stuff in next week's meeting with the Bills.

Artis-Payne faces competition for backup work from Jordan Scarlett, Elijah Hood (knee), Elijah Holyfield and Reggie Bonnafon, Brendan Marks of The Charlotte Observer reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Panthers have talked about reducing Christian McCaffrey's workload, but a lack of investment in their backfield points toward another season full of lofty snap counts. Artis-Payne is the only other Carolina tailback with an NFL carry to his name, while Scarlett has the advantage of being a recent draft pick (2019 fifth-round pick). There's no runaway favorite to earn the No. 2 job, and it's still possible the Panthers bring in a veteran to improve the competition.

Artis-Payne has re-signed with the Panthers on a one-year contract, Bryan Strickland of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

As the depth chart stands, Artis-Payne returns to a Panthers roster that still has little depth behind starter Christian McCaffrey. While it's possible Carolina adds a running back in next month's draft, Artis-Payne should operate as the clear No. 2 over Elijah Hood (knee) and Reggie Bonnafon when the Panthers' offseason workouts begin April 15.

Artis-Payne finished the 2018 regular season with 19 rushes for 69 yards and a touchdown in nine games played.

EDGE Analysis

Artis-Payne also caught three of his four targets for 15 receiving yards. Through four years with the Panthers, the tailback has never topped more than 45 carries in a season and has been active for just 32 games. Even after C.J. Anderson left Carolina this season, Artis-Payne was hardly used as Christian McCaffrey's backup. In fact, 16 of his 19 carries came in a meaningless Week 17 win over the Saints. Given that spare role, it wouldn't really be surprising if Artis-Payne heads elsewhere in free agency this offseason.

Artis-Payne is likely to notice an elevated role on offense Sunday against the Saints with Carolina expected to limit lead back Christian McCaffrey's snap count, Bill Voth of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Ron Rivera hasn't explicitly said that McCaffrey, who is active for Week 17, will be limited, but that's a reasonable assumption given that the Panthers are out of playoff contention and don't have much to gain by handing the second-year player his usual massive workload in an otherwise meaningless regular-season finale. Given that McCaffrey has played approximately 97 percent of the Panthers' offensive snaps this season, there will still be some extra volume to go around even if he works in more of a timeshare out of the backfield. Artis-Payne, who has just four touches across eight games this season, would be first in line to benefit if McCaffrey is rested or restricted at any point, but the uncertainty of what exactly the Auburn product's workload will look like makes it tough to roll with him in fantasy lineups with much confidence.

Artis-Payne contributed a seven-yard run and 13-yard catch during Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Falcons.

EDGE Analysis

Artis-Payne doubled his season total for touches on Sunday. The fourth-year back has just five touches in six games as Carolina's No. 2 back since the departure of C.J. Anderson. That role means more with Cam Newton shut down for the season as Newton was essentially the Panthers' second back, but the difference probably isn't enough to warrant looking at Artis-Payne next Sunday against New Orleans, a top-five run defense this season.

Artis-Payne rushed for five yards on his lone carry during Sunday's 26-20 loss to Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

The carry was just Artis-Payne's second touch of the season. He's totaled just six yards. With C.J. Anderson now out of town, the fourth-year back has a chance to be more involved in the offense, but -- even as RB No. 2 -- he figures to get RB No.3-level carries given the running prowess of Cam Newton. That, along with a Monday matchup against a top-three run defense in the Saints, makes him a bad play this week.