Blackshear left Sunday's game against the Commanders due to a shoulder injury and is doubtful to return, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blackshear was injured during a kickoff in the second half of Sunday's game. Assuming he's done for the day, he'll finish with 114 kick-return yards and a solo tackle.

Blackshear returned three kickoffs for 81 yards and one punt for 13 yards during Sunday's 26-3 loss to the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

Blackshear was able to suit for Sunday's affair despite missing practices earlier in the week due to personal reasons, and he impressed as Carolina's top return man. The 26-year-old's longest return went for 31 yard on a kickoff in the second quarter. Despite showing some juice in the return game, Blackshear didn't play a single offensive snap in Week 2 and appears to be an afterthought in Carolina's backfield.

Blackshear (personal) is active for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blackshear missed practice Thursday and Friday due to a personal matter but will suit up Sunday. He operated exclusively on special teams in Week 1, posting 204 kick-return yards on eight tries.

Blackshear (personal) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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 consider using 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.

Blackshear signed his contract tender with the Panthers on Thursday, Anthony Rizzuti of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blackshear is officially sticking with Carolina on a one-year deal, after having begun the offseason as an exclusive rights free agent. The running back has mostly contributed on special teams and as a kick returner for the Panthers, but he figures to also help as a depth player behind Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders in 2024.

The Panthers tendered a contract to Blackshear on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Blackshear was an exclusive rights free agent, so the Panthers secured his rights with this move. The running back played sparingly on offense in 2023 and accrued 91 scrimmage yards on 14 carries and six receptions, but Blackshear also served as the team's kickoff returner on special teams.

Blackshear finished the regular season with 14 rushes for 46 yards and six catches on seven targets for 45 yards in 12 games. He also returned 16 kickoffs for 430 yards.

EDGE Analysis

Blackshear remained in a depth tailback and special-teams role under a new coaching staff. He's now slated to become an exclusive rights free agent this offseason, making it uncertain whether he'll return to Carolina or resurface elsewhere.

Blackshear played four of 80 snaps on offense and carried once for four yards to go with one reception for four yards on two targets in Sunday's 28-6 loss to the Saints. He also brought back two kickoffs for 37 yards.

EDGE Analysis

Though Carolina was on the wrong end of a blowout, Blackshear was worked into the backfield mix before the game devolved into garbage time. His carry came in the first quarter, and both of his targets came while the Panthers were trailing by two scores. In addition to filling his usual duties as Carolina's kickoff return man, Blackshear has started to see more involvement on offense in the second half of the season, though he's still third on the depth chart at running back behind Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders. Through eight appearances on the campaign, Blackshear has carried 13 times for 40 yards to go with six catches for 45 yards on seven targets.

Blackshear (groin) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old running back out of Virginia Tech was limited in Wednesday's practice with a groin injury, but it now seems as if he's moved past the issue. Blackshear has been more involved in Carolina's offense over the last two games, recording 53 yards on 11 total touches.