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D’Onta Foreman is seizing the moment for the Panthers

By Russell S. Baxter

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 10: D'Onta Foreman #33 of the Carolina Panthers runs past Rashaan Evans #54 of the Atlanta Falcons while scoring a touchdown during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium on November 10, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 10: D'Onta Foreman #33 of the Carolina Panthers runs past Rashaan Evans #54 of the Atlanta Falcons while scoring a touchdown during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium on November 10, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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Christian McCaffrey is no longer with the franchise. And journeyman running back D’Onta Foreman has emerged as an offensive force for the Carolina Panthers.

He is one of the hotter running backs in the league. And talented D’Onta Foreman is one big reason the Carolina Panthers have split their last four games after the team opened the year with five losses in their first six contests.

The former University of Texas product struggled to stay healthy early in his NFL career (see Schuyler Callihan of SI.com). But the 2017 third-round pick of the Texans has been making up for lost time as of late. Keep in mind that in his first three seasons in the league – missing all of 2019 – he played in just 17 regular-season games with Houston and Tennessee. It added up to 116 touches, 537 total yards from scrimmage, and four touchdowns.

But a year ago, Foreman wound up filling a void for a spell a year ago in Nashville when workhorse Derrick Henry was lost for a big chunk of the season. He played in nine games (3 starts) for Mike Vrabel’s team and finished second on the club in carries (133) and rushing yards (566), to go along with three touchdowns – all career highs entering 2022. He added four carries for 66 yards in the team’s playoff loss to Cincinnati.

Foreman signed with the Panthers this offseason and didn’t see much action for obvious reasons. But Christian McCaffrey was dealt to the San Francisco 49ers and that eventually opened the door for the 26-year-old running back. Over the team’s last four games, Foreman has totaled 79 carries for 389 yards and four scores – rushing for 100-plus yards in three of those outings. In the Week 10 Thursday night win over the visiting Falcons, he toted the ball 31 times for 130 yards and one touchdown.

The Panthers have had a little extra time to prepare for their clash with the Ravens at Baltimore on Sunday. Steve Wilks’ team will be facing the top rushing defense in the league – allowing just 92.0 yards per game on the ground. But can Foreman remain hot despite the challenge? And can the Panthers finally beat a non-divisional opponent (0-6) this year?

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