5 key observations from Carolina Panthers joint practices with Ravens

Carolina Panthers RB Spencer Brown staking his claim

The running back room is getting pretty crowded where the Carolina Panthers are concerned. Christian McCaffrey is the undisputed alpha and rookie Chuba Hubbard will make the team, but what comes after that is still very much up in the air.

Reggie Bonnafon and Rodney Smith have shown nice moments throughout training camp. However, undrafted free agent Spencer Brown is making a claim at just the right time with some outstanding plays with the carries that come his way.

Brown has grown in stature since rookie minicamp after going largely overlooked during the evaluation process. The UAB product received praise for one move in particular from McCaffrey, who said he’d be adding it to his arsenal in the coming months.

Whether this is enough for the player to get some additional carries against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday remains to be seen. Brown gained just 25 rushing yards from nine touches at the Indianapolis Colts, which needs to improve in pursuit of winning a surprising roster spot.

Brown is a primary candidate for the practice squad if he doesn’t do enough to make the 53. This would still be a fine achievement from the player considering how unfancied he was coming into the organization.