On Wednesday, starting tailback Stephen Davis, backup DeShaun Foster and
fullback Brad Hoover all missed practice and coach John Fox listed all three
as questionable on the team's injury report. Also, third-string running back
Rod Smart is doubtful for Sunday's game with a groin injury.
That leaves the Panthers with only two healthy running backs on the
53-man roster - backup fullback Nick Goings and fourth-string running back
Jamal Robertson. The Panthers were so thin at running back they signed Alex
Haynes from Central Florida to the practice squad on Wednesday just to give
them another body at practice.
It's not uncommon for Davis to sit out the first practice of the week
leading up to a game since coming back from microfracture knee surgery, but
it was surprising to see Foster's name added to the injury report since Fox
made no mention of him when asked at Monday's press conference if there were
any injuries.
Davis and Foster are battling knee injuries, while Hoover has a bad
shoulder.
In typical Fox fashion, he refused to elaborate on any of the injuries
and none of injured players were available for comment at the team's open
locker room session on Wednesday.
However, Fox cautioned that it's too early in the week to rule anyone
out.
"It's early in the week and it's not a mystery in this league that it's a
pretty physical game and (the backs) get banged around," Fox said. "We have
a pretty good group of running backs and we have a couple of them healthy in
Nick Goings and Jamal Robertson and we'll see who we have healthy as we move
forward."
While it would seem unlikely that all three backs would sit on Sunday,
there's no doubt the team is hoping either Davis or Foster can make it back
for Sunday and then take advantage of having next week off because of a bye.
The injury situation is mildly reminiscent of last year when the Panthers
lost four running backs to season-ending injuries.
However, the Panthers seem better equipped to handle it this season.
If Davis and Foster can't go, there will be no hesitation for offensive
coordinator Dan Henning to give the ball to Goings, who recorded five
100-yard rushing games in the final seven weeks last season and led the team
in rushing with 821 yards and six rushing touchdowns. This year Goings has
returned to his role as a valuable special teams player, but has been more
of an afterthought on offense with just 2 yards on two carries and three
receptions for 31 yards. Robertson rushed for 71 yards on 16 carries last
season.
If Goings starts, the team could go with more one-back sets or possibly
shift one of their tight ends to fullback for Sunday's game. Goings is
technically listed as the team's second-string fullback, but rarely is he
used as a straight-ahead ram-style blocker like Hoover.
"When you keep your 53-man roster you pick all of the guys you know you
can play," Fox said. "Last year Nick Goings stepped in and Jamal Robertson
did at one point, too."
Goings said he'll be up to the task if called upon.
The injuries come at a time when the Panthers could use a boost in the
running game. They rank 20th in the league in rushing yards per game at 96.9
and 28th in yards per carry at 3.3.
This would seem to be a good week to get back on track since the Lions
defense has struggled against the run, allowing 115.3 yards per game and 4.3
yards per carry.
Instead of trying to hold out for more money or forcing a trade, Goings
agreed to return to a backup role when he returned to the Panthers this
season. It's a decision that has earned him big points as a team player with
the coaching staff and the front office.
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