For a second straight Monday, the Panthers claimed a notable skill-position talent on waivers. They were awarded running back Mike Davis, whom the Bears waived on Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Davis did not see much time with the Bears but may have a clearer role with the Panthers. It would make sense for Carolina to give usage dynamo Christian McCaffrey some rest. Davis functioned as a change-of-pace Seahawks back last season.
McCaffrey’s 233 touches sit second in the league, though Dalvin Cook has accumulated his NFL-leading 243 in one extra game. The Panthers had C.J. Anderson on their 2018 roster to serve as a McCaffrey complement, but the team did not use the veteran much and cut him midway through the season. This season, the Panthers have given McCaffrey 185 carries. He logged 219 throughout last season. Backup running back Reggie Bonnafon has taken just 11 handoffs this year.
Considering Chicago gave Davis just 18 touches this season, he should be fresh to spell McCaffrey. Davis, 26, averaged 4.6 yards per carry with the Seahawks last season. Operating as Chris Carson‘s backup, Davis posted 728 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns. Last season marked Davis’ first steady backfield work; he spent the 2015-17 seasons not factoring in significantly in San Francisco or Seattle’s ball-carrying plans.
This move comes a week after the Panthers claimed ex-Steelers wideout Donte Moncrief. Both Moncrief and Davis were cut in order to balance out the Steelers’ and Bears’ compensatory-pick formulas, respectively.
Good move!