The Panthers waived C.J. Anderson on Monday, giving him the opportunity to latch on with a new team ahead of Week 11.

Related players: Christian McCaffrey, Cameron Artis-Payne

McCaffrey has been a true workhorse, playing 96.3 percent of the snaps through nine games, more than any running back in the NFL, the story said. Artis-Payne will now back up McCaffrey, but has only been active twice this season.

The Panthers are beginning to feel like they have hit on something big with fourth-round draft pick Ian Thomas.

The rookie tight end has carried over an outstanding performance in training camp to the preseason, where he showed an impressive burst of speed on a 27-yard catch-and-run touchdown reception from Cam Newton, and delivered a powerful seal block that helped spring Christian McCaffrey for a 71-yard touchdown in Friday night’s preseason win over the Miami Dolphins.

Related players: Greg Olsen

After not getting a ton of receptions at Indiana, Carolina’s scouts became convinced Thomas has what it takes to be a playmaker and general manager Marty Hurney was sold on him as he studied more film. Olsen is still the guy in Carolina but after missing time last year the Panthers acquired a young player at the position who looks like he could eventually make an impact.

It appears that C.J. Anderson will take the lead in the traditional running back role.

Related players: Christian McCaffrey

The author feels we will see McCaffrey's receiving numbers rise from last year's 80-651-5 line. He doesn't think McCaffrey's carries will go up by much, but he's not ruling out 900 receiving yards for McCaffrey. McCaffrey is our No. 12 ranked PPR running back.

Christian McCaffrey will have an even bigger role in the Panthers' offense this season.

McCaffrey, the team's first-round draft pick in 2017, carried the ball 117 times for 435 yards and established a franchise rookie record with 80 receptions. He finished the season with seven touchdowns.

While McCaffrey led the Panthers in receptions, he'll be counted on to carry the ball more after the team parted ways with its all-time leading rusher Jonathan Stewart. Panthers two-time NFL Coach of the Year Ron Rivera believes McCaffrey is up to the task, saying he can be a running back who carries the ball 200 times this season.

Related players: C.J. Anderson

McCaffrey's size was always a question mark, but the story added Rivera commented, "Yeah, why not," to the prospect of McCaffrey carrying the ball 200 times. Anderson will surely factor into the offense, but it sounds like the team has seen enough of McCaffrey to give him a bigger role this year.

The Carolina Panthers have added former Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson to the team. He will join a Panthers RB depth chart that currently features Christian McCaffrey, Fozzy Whittaker, and Cameron Artis-Payne.

McCaffrey had been dubbed a draft day winner because the Panthers didn't add a running back through the draft, but the addition of Anderson will surely cut into his workload. Look for McCaffrey and Anderson to form a 1-2 punch ala McCaffrey and Jonathan Stewart of last season, who combined for 315 carries, 1,115 rushing yards, and eight rushing touchdowns. Stewart led in all three categories, while McCaffrey led the position in catches (80), receiving yards (651), and receiving touchdowns (5). Anderson's career-high in receptions is 34. McCaffrey will be the back to own in PPR leagues, while Anderson could turn into a solid RB2/RB3 option in standard leagues.

The Carolina Panthers have ended their decade-long relationship with Jonathan Stewart.

The team announced Wednesday they released the soon-to-be 31-year-old running back.

Stewart earned a career-low 3.4 yards per carry average while sharing the backfield with first-round rookie Christian McCaffrey in 2017. Jettisoning Stewart opens a need in the Panthers' running corps for a between-the-tackles pounder to complement CMC in 2018.

Related players: Christian McCaffrey, Cameron Artis-Payne

Christian McCaffrey gets a bump, but the Panthers aren't likely to hand over Stewart's rushing workload to McCaffrey. They may add another running back to the mix or perhaps use Cameron Artis-Payne to fill Stewart's shoes.

Panthers Inactives
Kurt Coleman FS
Mose Frazier WR
Garrett Gilbert QB
LaDarius Gunter CB
Zach Moore DE
Jonathan Stewart RB
Tral Turner OG

Related players: Christian McCaffrey, Cameron Artis-Payne

According to the Panthers website, Stewart's back tightened up on Sunday morning so the team will sit him. That means McCaffrey and Artis-Payne will see increased workloads this week.