Carolina Panthers: Top questions on offense entering training camp

How will the carries be split among running backs?

For the first time in a decade, the Panthers will be entering the season without running back Jonathan Stewart in their backfield. The former first round pick was cut by the Panthers this offseason and the team replaced him with former Denver Broncos’ running back C.J. Anderson.

The team fortunately still has Christian McCaffrey, who had a productive rookie season however it was mainly due to his performance in the passing game. He finished the year averaging only 7.8 carries per game and had three total games with double digit carries.

This begs the question now of how will the carries be split between the two backs? Does Norv Turner want to get McCaffrey more involved in the run game and who will be the primary ball carrier for this offense?

Shortly after Turner was hired, LaDanian Tomlinson, who is an analyst at NFL Network but played in Turner’s offense in San Diego provided some insight into this very question:

"“They’re going to draft a running back, a physical style of running back, so that they can run the ball up inside a little bit and loosen defenses up for Christian to get back in there and do his thing on the perimeter,” Tomlinson said. “That’s how Norv has done it in the past. I’m almost positive that he’s going to create the same type of formula that he’s used everywhere else, and they’re going to get a running back to run the ball inside.”"

While they didn’t draft a running back, they did get a physical running back to pound the rock in the middle with C.J. Anderson. It would seem that Anderson is in line for the most carries on this offense, but McCaffrey is sure to end up with the most touches per game due to his ability in the passing game.