Smith was restored to the Lions' practice squad from the COVID-19 list then cut Saturday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.
Smith never suited up for the Lions after also spending time with the Titans and Panthers this season. He'll now likely turn his focus to earning a job with a new team next season.
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Rodney Smith: Moves to COVID list
Rotowire
Smith (undisclosed) was placed on Detroit's practice squad COVID-19 list Monday.
Smith joined the Lion's practice squad in mid-December but hasn't seen game action with the team. He'll now be unavailable until he clears the COVID-19 protocols.
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Rodney Smith: Signed from practice squad
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Smith was signed to the Lions' practice squad Saturday.
The Lions are without top running backs D'Andre Swift (shoulder) and Jamaal Williams (COVID-19 protocols) for Sunday's game against the Broncos. With the pair out of the lineup, Craig Reynolds was elevated from the practice squad Saturday to serve as a depth option in the backfield to Godwin Igwebuike and Jermar Jefferson. Smith provides another body in the RB room moving forward.
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Rodney Smith: Added to Titans' practice squad
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Smith was signed to the Titans' practice squad Tuesday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.
The 25-year-old was last on the Panthers' practice squad in October before being released, but he will now provide depth at running back for the Titans. Smith will help fill the void left behind by Adrian Peterson, who was released Tuesday.
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Rodney Smith: Released from practice squad
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The Panthers released Smith from the practice squad Monday.
With Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) out, Smith was elevated from the practice squad ahead of the Panthers' previous two contests. He operated as the No. 3 running back behind Chuba Hubbard and Royce Freeman and saw 26 offensive snaps in Week 4, but he didn't see the field in Week 5.
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Panthers' Rodney Smith: Elevated from practice squad
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Smith has been elevated from the Panthers' practice squad in advance of Sunday's game against the Eagles, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
With Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) listed as doubtful and trending toward missing Sunday's contest, Smith will provide the Panthers with needed Week 5 backfield depth behind projected starter Chuba Hubbard. In the team's Week 4's loss to the Cowboys, Smith logged 26 snaps and while he didn't record a carry, he made an impact in the passing game, catching all five of his targets for 48 yards. If McCaffrey is inactive versus Philadelphia, Smith is worth a look for those scrambling for RB options in PPR formats this week.
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Rodney Smith: Back on practice squad
Rotowire
Smith reverted to the Panthers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Smith was elevated to the active roster for Sunday's loss to the Cowboys, and he ended up playing 26 offensive snaps and catching all five of his targets for 48 yards. The 25-year-old benefitted from Carolina trailing big in the second half and worked as the team's primary pass-catching back. Chuba Hubbard worked as the top tailback in the absence of Christian McCaffrey (hamstring), but Smith ended up seeing significant playing time.
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Panthers' Rodney Smith: Makes five grabs
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Smith caught all five of his targets for 48 yards in Sunday's 36-28 loss to the Cowboys.
Smith was promoted to Carolina's active roster to help replace Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) alongside Chuba Hubbard and Royce Freeman. Hubbard led the backfield with 15 touches for 71 scrimmage yards, but Smith was used more than Freeman, playing 26 snaps to the veteran's 12. That involvement didn't garner Smith a carry, but he was featured as a pass-catcher in the second half as Carolina tried to mount a comeback, with only top wideout DJ Moore hauling in more receptions. Although it's unclear if McCaffrey will remain sidelined in Week 5 versus the Eagles, Smith's usage Sunday boosts his value behind Hubbard should the Panthers again be without their superstar tailback.
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Panthers' Rodney Smith: Elevated to active roster
Rotowire
Smith (undisclosed) was elevated from the practice squad Saturday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Smith played in seven games with the Panthers last season, accumulating 50 total touches and 215 total yards to go along with one touchdown while largely operating as a depth piece thanks to numerous Christian McCaffrey injuries. With the star running back sidelined once again (hamstring), expect Smith to once again operate as a depth back, this time behind Chuba Hubbard and Royce Freeman.
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Panthers' Rodney Smith: Not in line to play Friday
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Smith (undisclosed) isn't expected to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Steelers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Also expected to sit Friday are Carolina's top back Christian McCaffrey, Reggie Bonnafon (undisclosed) and Trenton Cannon. As a result, Chuba Hubbard, Spencer Brown and Darius Clark are candidates to see added rushing opportunities versus Pittsburgh.
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Panthers' Rodney Smith: Doesn't dress for preseason opener
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Smith (undisclosed) didn't dress for Sunday's preseason opener against the Colts, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Smith didn't get a chance to make up any ground on Chuba Hubbard or Reggie Bonnafon in the battle for Carolina's No. 2 running back spot, though Bonnafon also sat out with an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, Hubbard rushed for 80 yards on seven carries, so he's the clubhouse leader heading into a preseason Week 2 matchup with the Ravens.
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Panthers' Rodney Smith: Still staking a claim
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Smith remains in the mix for the Panthers' backup running back job, Joseph Person of The Athletic reports.
Smith previously was mentioned to be behind rookie Chuba Hubbard and Reggie Bonnafon in the race to serve as Christian McCaffrey's top understudy. While that still could be the case, the competition also generally remains wide open, giving Smith a chance of staking his claim during the preseason. Coach Matt Rhule has been impressed with Smith's quickness, so it'll be important to track Carolina's upcoming exhibition games to see how he fares.
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Panthers' Rodney Smith: Earns role down stretch
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Smith finished the 2020 season with 41 carries for 156 yards and a touchdown in seven games played. He also caught nine of 11 targets for 59 yards.
Smith, an undrafted rookie from Minnesota, was promoted to Carolina's active roster in November amid superstar Christian McCaffrey's injury troubles. With McCaffrey unavailable, Smith served as veteran Mike Davis' backup, averaging around 30 percent of the offensive snaps. The 24-year-old did a decent job in that role, and he rushed 10 times for 40 yards and a score with Davis missing Week 17 versus the Saints. With Davis an unrestricted free agent this offseason, Smith stands a chance of elevating the depth chart should Davis not return, but as long as McCaffrey is back healthy in 2021, it's unlikely Smith will have much fantasy value.
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Panthers' Rodney Smith: Looks likely to start Week 17
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Smith could serve as the Panthers' starting running back Sunday against the Saints with Christian McCaffrey (ankle) ruled out and Mike Davis (ankle) not expected to play, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Smith has earned an uptick in playing time down the stretch, as he's had at least four touches in six straight games while handling a complementary role behind Davis. Injuries to Carolina's top two backs could now allow Smith the chance to close out his rookie campaign with a starting opportunity, while special-teams standout Trenton Cannon would likely serve as the No. 2 option.
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Panthers' Rodney Smith: Gets seven touches
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Smith rushed four times for 23 yards and caught three of four targets for 24 yards in Saturday's 24-16 loss to the Packers.
Smith had a long rush of 12 yards and also went for 11 yards on one of his receptions. In playing over the third of Carolina's offensive snaps, the rookie saw his recent uptick in involvement persist, as he's now finished with at least seven touches in three of his last four games. While that workload has seen Smith register on deep fantasy radars, the potential return of Christian McCaffrey (thigh) before the season ends looms over Smith's weekly value.
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Panthers' Rodney Smith: Garners four touches
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Smith rushed twice for 10 yards and caught both of his targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 32-27 loss to the Broncos.
Smith played only a quarter of Carolina's offensive snaps behind starter Mike Davis. Although he was decently productive in his limited workload, Smith's upside remains restricted by his backup status, and he could fall further down the pecking order if Christian McCaffrey (shoulder/thigh) is able to return in Week 15.
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Panthers' Rodney Smith: Gets seven carries
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Smith rushed seven times for 18 yards in Sunday's 28-27 loss to the Vikings.
Smith was also targeted once in the passing game but failed to haul in the look his way. With Christian McCaffrey out, Smith has now garnered 18 carries over Carolina's last three games, but should the superstar tailback return following the Panthers' Week 13 bye, it'd be unlikely Smith would see much work as the third-stringer behind McCaffrey and Mike Davis.
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Panthers' Rodney Smith: Garners eight carries
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Smith rushed eight times for 29 yards in Sunday's 20-0 win over the Lions.
Smith was handed Carolina's first two rushing attempts of the game and racked up five carries by the end of the first quarter. While that suggested he'd work more in tandem with starter Mike Davis, Smith ultimately played only nine offensive snaps Sunday. Obviously, he got the ball almost every time he was on the field, but Smith's workload paled in comparison to Davis' 21 total touches. As long as Christian McCaffrey (shoulder) is sidelined, Smith figures to factor into the Panthers' rushing game as Davis' understudy, but it seems unlikely he'd do so if McCaffrey is fit to return in Week 12 versus the Vikings.
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Panthers' Rodney Smith: Gets three carries
Rotowire
Smith rushed three times for 13 yards and caught his only target for two yards in Sunday's 46-23 loss to the Buccaneers.
Smith, who was making his NFL debut, was called into action after starting tailback Mike Davis briefly left during the second half with a finger injury. Although Davis ultimately returned, Smith still showed well in his short stint, ripping off a game-long rush of 10 yards. While that contribution should help Smith's chances of retaining a roster spot, Davis' availability and the potential return of Christian McCaffrey (shoulder) in Week 11 should keep the rookie's role restricted.
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Panthers' Rodney Smith: Promoted to active roster
Rotowire
The Panthers have signed Smith to their active roster.
Smith failed to make the Panthers' active roster after signing with them as an undrafted free agent. The Minnesota product is the Gophers' all-time leader in all-purpose yards and will be making his NFL debut. While Christian McCaffrey (shoulder) will be sidelined, Smith will still be behind Mike Davis and Trenton Cannon on the depth chart.
