Lions sign former Panthers RB after holding tryouts

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The Detroit Lions already have concerns to address on defense, but they will be in a world of trouble if their offense is not cohesive. While there is still plenty of talent on this roster, contract and injury issues have left the team shorthanded in the backfield. Fortunately, reinforcements arrived on Tuesday.

Following a round of tryouts, the Lions are signing former Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. The 2022 undrafted talent out of Virginia Tech and Rutgers has logged 53 carries for 203 yards and three touchdowns in 41 games. He spent time on the practice squads of the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets before landing on the UFL’s Colorado Aviators in January.

In addition to Blackshear, Detroit chose to take a look at Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Hassan Haskins and Kylin James, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Three-time Pro Bowl selection Jahmyr Gibbs is a training camp hold-in amid his pursuit of an extension, and third-string RB Sione Vaki is out with a broken nose, forcing the Lions to seek help in the short term. They found their guy by the end of the day.

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Edwards-Helaire was the most experienced of the group, having spent six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and one year with the New Orleans Saints. He already has a strong bond with fellow two-time Super Bowl champion and Detroit backup Isiah Pacheco, so he could have been an interesting fit. Haskins is a former Michigan Wolverines star who has played parts of three seasons for the Titans and Los Angeles Chargers. James impressed at UNLV in 2024 before heading to the St. Louis Battlehawks.

There was a case to be made for all three backs, but the Lions ultimately gave the slot to Blackshear. The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder was efficient in a small sample size for the Panthers last season, logging 15 carries for 80 yards (5.3 yards per attempt). He has 404 snaps’ worth of experience on special teams, per Pro Football Focus, operating as a kick returner on many occasions. Detroit head coach Dan Campbell clearly likes the versatility this player can bring to the team, at least for the time being.

Raheem Blackshear could be on the move again when Jahmyr Gibbs and Sione Vaki return (assuming everything gets worked out with the former), but he will try to make the most of his time in Allen Park.

Related: Dan Campbell’s immediate reaction to Bijan Robinson contract that impacts Jahmyr Gibbs

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