The Panthers will officially be without one key running back and will likely be without another top backfield option on Sunday vs. Chicago.
The club has ruled out tailback DeAngelo Williams with an ankle injury, the team’s Twitter feed said Friday. Also, running back Jonathan Stewart (knee) is doubtful, the team said, though coach Ron Rivera indicated he practiced well today.
This leaves rookie Darrin Reaves and veterans Chris Ogbonnaya and Fozzy Whittaker as the potential top three ball carriers for Carolina (2-2) in Week Five. Reaves is expected to start, but Rivera indicated Friday that Ogbonnaya and Whittaker will also see early action, Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reported.
It’s understandable why the Panthers would be willing to use a committee approach at tailback. Reaves rushed 12 times for 26 yards in Carolina’s loss to Baltimore on Sunday, and Carolina is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry this season. If the Panthers find something that works with their ground game, they need to stick with it.