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Jonathon Brooks Jonathon Brooks On track for camp
Wed, May 1, 2024, 11:01 AM
Brooks (knee) remains on track to be cleared for training camp, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Brooks said the ACL tear he suffered in November didn't come with any damage to other ligaments -- a factor that likely contributed to the Panthers' confidence making him the first back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft (46th overall). He's begun running and plans to resume cutting soon, with the intention of participating at the start of training camp in late July, shortly after his 21st birthday. Brooks didn't play much at Texas until Bijan Robinson left for the NFL, but once he got his chance the results were impressive, with Brooks recording 1,139 rushing yards and 286 receiving yards in 11 games last season. In Carolina, he joins a backfield with veterans Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders, though it isn't clear if the latter will have a role after his poor showing last season. |
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Chuba Hubbard Chuba Hubbard Facing tough snap competition
Tue, Apr 30, 2024, 4:17 PM
The Panthers took Jonathon Brooks (knee) in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, potentially giving Hubbard competition for the starting job, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Hubbard was positioned to enter Week 1 as a starter for the first time in his pro career, and while he's still the favorite for that task, competition for snaps in the Carolina backfield just got much stiffer. The Panthers took Brooks with the 46th overall pick, making him the first running back drafted in 2024, 20 selections before Trey Benson. They also still have Miles Sanders, who was a massive bust in the first season of his four-year contract but has a guaranteed $4.02 million salary for 2024. It's a situation where Hubbard's projection as the Week 1 starter might not mean much in terms of fantasy expectations for the full season, especially if reports continue to be positive on Brooks' rehab from the ACL tear he suffered Nov. 11. |
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Miles Sanders Miles Sanders Joined by rookie second-rounder
Mon, Apr 29, 2024, 3:43 PM
Sanders faces competition from rookie second-round pick Jonathon Brooks (knee) for backfield work during the 2024 season, Joseph Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Sanders was overtaken by Chuba Hubbard down the stretch of the 2023 season, in which he logged a career-low 129 carries for 432 yards (3.3 YPC) and one touchdown, so the arrival of Brooks could impact his opportunities. First-year coach Dave Canales said the Panthers plan to deploy all three backs, and Brooks is working his way back from an ACL tear, so Sanders' primary competition for touches could be Hubbard to begin the year. It's easy to imagine a scenario, though, where Brooks earns himself a more solidified role atop the depth chart once he's fully healthy. |
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Jonathan Mingo Jonathan Mingo Bumps down the depth chart
Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 2:59 PM
With the Panthers' selection of Xavier Legette with the No. 32 overall pick Thursday night, Mingo is pushed down the wide receiver depth chart, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Carolina has made it a point to upgrade its wideout room this offseason, first trading for Diontae Johnson before then trading up into the final pick of the first round for Legette. Adding those two to veteran slot man Adam Thielen pushes both Mingo and Terrace Marshall down in the pecking order for targets. Mingo -- who is bouncing back from a late-season foot issue -- started 14 of 15 games he appeared in as a rookie, but he posted an uninspiring 43-418-0 receiving line on 85 targets. He was one of the least productive starting receivers in the league in 2023. |
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Raheem Blackshear Raheem Blackshear Inks contract tender
Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 9:13 AM
Blackshear signed his contract tender with the Panthers on Thursday, Anthony Rizzuti of USA Today reports.
Analysis: Blackshear is officially sticking with Carolina on a one-year deal, after having begun the offseason as an exclusive rights free agent. The running back has mostly contributed on special teams and as a kick returner for the Panthers, but he figures to also help as a depth player behind Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders in 2024. |
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David Moore David Moore Gets chance in Carolina
Tue, Mar 19, 2024, 6:32 PM
Mike Kaye of The Charlotte ObserverMoore has signed a one-year contract with the Panthers, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Moore is returning to Carolina, where he spent the 2021 offseason before getting released following final roster cuts and landing with the Broncos' practice squad. Most recently, he played for the Buccaneers during the 2023 campaign, and accumulated 94 yards and one touchdown on five receptions across seven games. The 29-year-old will now look to make an impression with the team during offseason activities leading into training camp. |
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Bryce Young Bryce Young Surrounding cast improves
Thu, Mar 14, 2024, 11:09 AM
Young appears primed to benefit from improved surroundings on offense Year 2, with the Panthers adding names like wide receiver Diontae Johnson and guard Robert Hunt in free agency, David Newton of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Young is coming off a completely forgettable rookie campaign, having completed just 315 of 527 pass attempts for 2,877 yards, 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions across 16 regular-season games. He surpassed 200 yards in just five of those contests. A real part of the blame must fall on Carolina's mediocre offensive personnel and scheme, and things already appear to be improving under new head coach Dave Canales. Trading for Diontae Johnson provides Young with a versatile and trustworthy No. 1 target, after a rookie year in which his only reliable wideout was a 33-year-old Adam Thielen. Inking Hunt to a massive-five year deal ought to provide Young, who was second in the league last season with 62 sacks, with more reliable protection for the foreseeable future, and the signing of Damien Lewis to a four-year deal locks up both guard positions. Expect the Panthers to do more to help Young in April's draft, where they will first pick in the second round at No. 33 overall. |
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Raheem Blackshear Raheem Blackshear Tendered by Panthers
Wed, Mar 13, 2024, 12:17 PM
The Panthers tendered a contract to Blackshear on Monday.
Analysis: Blackshear was an exclusive rights free agent, so the Panthers secured his rights with this move. The running back played sparingly on offense in 2023 and accrued 91 scrimmage yards on 14 carries and six receptions, but Blackshear also served as the team's kickoff returner on special teams. |
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Ihmir Smith-Marsette Ihmir Smith-Marsette Back with Carolina
Tue, Mar 12, 2024, 8:06 PM
The Panthers re-signed Smith-Marsette to a one-year contract Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Smith-Marsette wasn't tendered by the Panthers as a restricted free agent last week, but he's coming back to the team at a lower salary than the low tender. Across 17 games last season, Smith-Marsette recorded eight catches for 51 scoreless yards and returned an NFL-high 37 punts for 322 yards and one touchdown. |
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Diontae Johnson Diontae Johnson Dealt to Carolina
Tue, Mar 12, 2024, 6:19 PM
The Steelers are slated to trade Johnson to the Panthers in exchange for Donte Jackson and a pick swap, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Johnson had a relatively disappointing 2023 season as the No. 1 option in Pittsburgh, as he finished with a career-low 51 receptions to go along with 717 yards through the air and five touchdowns. After spending his first five seasons with the Steelers, the 27-year-old will step into the No. 1 pass catching role in Carolina and look to build a rapport with Bryce Young. |
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Giovanni Ricci Giovanni Ricci Not tendered by Carolina
Fri, Mar 8, 2024, 4:41 PM
The Panthers decided not to tender Ricci on Friday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The 27-year-old tight end could very well be on the move this offseason after the Panthers chose to not tender him Friday. Across his three years in Carolina, Ricci caught nine of his 12 targets for 102 yards while also contributing on special teams. Ricci has a chance to compete for a depth/special teams role if he's picked up by a team this offseason. |
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Ihmir Smith-Marsette Ihmir Smith-Marsette Won't be tendered
Fri, Mar 8, 2024, 4:34 PM
The Panthers chose to not tender Smith-Marsette on Friday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Smith-Marsette could be on the move this offseason after the Panthers decided not to tender him Friday. The 24-year-old wideout primarily served as the Panthers' top punt returner last season, recording 322 return yards (including a 79-yard touchdown). Despite Carolina not tendering the restricted free agent, the team would like to re-sign Smith-Marsette this offseason, according to Person. |
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Hayden Hurst Hayden Hurst Expected to be released
Tue, Mar 5, 2024, 12:48 PM
The Panthers plan to release Hurst (concussion) before March 16, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Hurst's release will come just one season into the three-year, $21.75 million contract he inked with Carolina last offseason, due to the veteran tight end reportedly declining to take a pay cut. Across nine regular-season appearances in 2023, Hurst recorded a 18-184-1 receiving line before suffering a season-ending concussion, and post-traumatic amnesia, Week 10. Hurst said after the season that he'd been medically cleared, and as an experienced and proven veteran, he should get sizable attention on the open market as long as teams aren't concerned about his health. |
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Mike Strachan Mike Strachan Plays four games
Fri, Jan 12, 2024, 8:59 AM
Strachan finished the regular season with one catch on three targets for 45 yards in four games.
Analysis: Strachan featured for a career-low amount of games since entering the league as a seventh-round pick in 2021. Although he's under contract with the Panthers for next season, Strachan will have to earn a roster spot under a new front office. |
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Ihmir Smith-Marsette Ihmir Smith-Marsette Flashes to finish season
Fri, Jan 12, 2024, 8:56 AM
Smith-Marsette finished the regular season with eight catches on 10 targets for 51 yards and eight rushes for 74 yards and a touchdown in 17 games. He also returned 37 punts for 322 yards and another score.
Analysis: Smith-Marsette handled punt-return duties throughout the season and saw his offensive role expand after Laviska Shenault (ankle) was injured in November. Although he produced some good moments on gadget plays, it remains to be seen whether Carolina's new front office will look to retain Smith-Marsette as a restricted free agent this offseason. |
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Laviska Shenault Laviska Shenault Injury-shortened season
Fri, Jan 12, 2024, 8:50 AM
Shenault finished the regular season with 10 catches on 10 targets for 60 yards and 12 carries for 55 yards in eight games. He also returned six kickoffs for 167 yards.
Analysis: Shenault landed on injured reserve in late November due to an ankle injury. When healthy, he remained in a gadget role that attempted to highlight his tackle-breaking potential. After seeing his production drop off in consecutive seasons upon joining the Panthers, the former second-round pick will now become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. |
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Raheem Blackshear Raheem Blackshear Plays 12 games
Fri, Jan 12, 2024, 8:44 AM
Blackshear finished the regular season with 14 rushes for 46 yards and six catches on seven targets for 45 yards in 12 games. He also returned 16 kickoffs for 430 yards.
Analysis: Blackshear remained in a depth tailback and special-teams role under a new coaching staff. He's now slated to become an exclusive rights free agent this offseason, making it uncertain whether he'll return to Carolina or resurface elsewhere. |
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Andy Dalton Andy Dalton Makes three appearances
Fri, Jan 12, 2024, 8:39 AM
Dalton finished the regular season with 34 completions on 58 attempts for 361 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions in three games.
Analysis: Dalton's passing production all came in Week 3 while starting in place of the injured Bryce Young. Although the Panthers lost that game, it was their highest output in passing yardage all season. At 36 years old, Dalton remains under contract for next season, when he could remain one of the league's best backups while Young attempts to advance his development under a new coaching staff. |
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Terrace Marshall Terrace Marshall Plays nine games
Wed, Jan 10, 2024, 6:39 PM
Marshall finished the regular season with 19 catches on 33 targets for 139 yards and no touchdowns in nine games.
Analysis: Marshall hasn't worked out after joining the Panthers as a second-round pick in 2021. The wideout was granted permission to find a trade during the season and was a healthy scratch for a large chunk after failing to secure an exit route. With Carolina set for a new front office and coaching staff this offseason, it remains to be seen whether Marshall will be around for the 2024 campaign, which marks the final year of his rookie contract. |
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Ian Thomas Ian Thomas Career-worst campaign
Wed, Jan 10, 2024, 6:31 PM
Thomas finished the regular season with five catches on nine targets for 56 yards in 12 games.
Analysis: Thomas endured the worst campaign of his six-year career, with his five missed games playing a factor. Even when healthy, though, Thomas has long been a blocking tight end, not topping 200 receiving yards since his rookie year. With the Panthers having a potential out from the final year of Thomas' current contract, it remains to be seen whether he'll return to Carolina under a new front office and coaching staff. |
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