Todman is 5-feet-10, but is a shiftier back at 198 pounds and brings versatility as a receiver and special teams contributor. He played in all 16 games for the Jaguars last season, rushing for 186 yards on 32 carries and adding 198 yards on 25 receptions. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Panthers signed running back Jordan Todman to a one-year contract.
Todman, who spent the past three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, provides veteran depth to the backfield. Jonathan Stewart will enter the 2015 season as the unquestioned lead back following the release of DeAngelo Williams. Darrin Reaves, Fozzy Whittaker and short-yardage back Mike Tolbert are also on the roster.
Like Reaves and Whittaker, Todman is 5-feet-10, but is a shiftier back at 198 pounds and brings versatility as a receiver and special teams contributor. He played in all 16 games for the Jaguars last season, rushing for 186 yards on 32 carries and adding 198 yards on 25 receptions. He also served as the team’s primary kickoff returner, averaging 25.6 yards on 38 returns for 972 total yards, and finished second on the team with seven special teams tackles.
“Any time you get a chance to play football and do what you love it’s a great opportunity,” Todman said. “I’m excited to come to a playoff team, a team with upside that wants to be great.”
Todman was originally a sixth-round pick by the San Diego Chargers in 2011, and also spent time with the Minnesota Vikings before landing in Jacksonville. He became a free agent when the Jaguars declined to tender him a contract by the March 6 deadline.
“Jordan is a veteran running back who has had some success in this league,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. “We think he has some return skills and we are always looking to be good in that area. At running back, he brings versatility. He is stout and physical enough to run the ball up inside, but he’s got the quickness and speed to get outside to the corner.”
