4 free agents the Panthers should call after Christian McCaffrey injury
By Dean Jones
Isaiah Crowell
Another name to consider as a potential short-term solution would be Isaiah Crowell. The running back has been a solid if not spectacular performer during his career and he has enjoyed more success than all the current options on the Carolina Panthers put together.
The NFL is a ruthless business. But it does appear something of a surprise that Crowell isn’t on an active roster somewhere. He was in discussions with the Seattle Seahawks prior to the 2020 NFL Draft without anything concrete coming from it.
Crowell hasn’t played a down since 2018, which represents something of a concern. He did sign a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders without seeing any action thanks in no small to the outstanding production of rookie Josh Jacobs.
This would be a low risk, high reward pick-up for the Panthers that wouldn’t exactly cost the earth. Crowell boasts career stats of 3,803 rushing yards, 27 touchdowns, 117 receptions, 922 receiving yards, and a yards-per-carry average of 4.3.
If Crowell could bring this sort of production to the Panthers, it would help them enormously. All the player is probably looking for at this stage is a foot back in the NFL door, so to speak. And it is hard to deny that isn’t something of an upgrade on Carolina’s current options in the wake of Christian McCaffrey’s injury.