The running back situation for Carolina is dire with injuries to Mike Tolbert, Jonathan Stewart and now DeAngelo Williams who hurt his right foot in Sunday’s loss to the Ravens. Yesterday’s game was Williams’ first appearance on the field for the Panthers since week one. He had been out nursing a lingering hamstring injury.
#Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams suffered a sprained ankle yesterday described as “week-to-week.” Status for Sun vs. #Bears in serious doubt.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 29, 2014
Once Williams went down, the Panthers had to turn to undrafted rookie Darrin Reaves who rushed for 26 yards on 12 carries.
With the injury report at running back going from bad to worse, head coach Ron Rivera says the team will look to sign a veteran this week.
“We’re going to have to look at some guys from the outside. And we’ll see,” Rivera said. “Without Jonathan available last week and potentially not available this week we need to have an insurance policy just in case so we’re going to have to take a look.”
According to the Charlotte Observer, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Kenjon Barner have been thrown around as possible options – although they’re both dealing with injuries themselves.
Based on Sunday’s game, it looks like offensive coordinator Mike Shula is dedicated to running the ball sink or swim (sink was definitely the case in Baltimore). If that’s going to be the plan going forward the importance should be on finding a HEALTHY option.