The Carolina Panthers took a calculated risk by releasing rookie running back Elijah Holyfield during their initial 2019 roster cuts. Holyfield obviously made a good impression on the organization, because they’re bringing him back to the practice squad.
Holyfield played his college football at Georgia, where he saw 215 carries in his career. He used those opportunities to produce 1,340 rushing yards (6.2 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns. Holyfield did not get much work as a receiver though, managing just seven catches on nine targets.
Holyfield went undrafted and was the first college free agent signing for Carolina this year.
During the preseason, he totaled 79 rushing yards and one touchdown on 19 carries. He also caught six of eight targets, totaling 24 receiving yards and another score. Holyfield did not play the third game against New England, which was a sign his odds to make the team weren’t great.
Indeed, Holyfield had a brutal path to make the 53-man roster, especially considering the Panthers’ talent at running back. Christian McCaffrey is one of the elites at the position and rarely came off the field last season. Reggie Bonnafon and Jordan Scarlett will be backing him up this year with Cameron Artis-Payne out of the picture.
That didn’t leave much room for Holyfield, especially as Carolina is carrying three quarterbacks this year.
Nevertheless, Holyfield impressed with his decisive style of running and his dedication at practice. If one of the other running backs gets injured, there’s a strong chance that he will get called up.
