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James Mitchell James Mitchell Headed to Carolina
Tue, Jan 21, 2025, 7:37 PM
The Panthers signed Mitchell to a reserve/future contract Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Mitchell spent the entire 2024 regular season on the Lions' practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp. He was elevated for Week 11 against the Jaguars and played 24 offensive snaps but did not show up in the box score otherwise. Mitchell will be a part of the Panthers' 90-man roster when the new league year starts March 12 and will participate in OTAs, minicamp and training camp ahead of the 2025 campaign. |
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David Moore David Moore Productive with Panthers
Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 3:27 PM
Moore caught 32 of his 57 targets for 351 yards and three touchdowns across 17 regular-season games in 2024.
Analysis: Moore had one of the most productive seasons of his career with Carolina in 2024, recording his highest totals in receptions, yards and touchdowns since his 2020 campaign with Seattle. He benefitted from increased offensive opportunities following Diontae Johnson's trade to Baltimore in late October and injuries to Jalen Coker and Adam Thielen throughout the season, playing the second-most offensive snaps (545) among Carolina's wide receivers. After completing his first season with the Panthers, Moore is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The 30-year-old is likely to sign a short-term deal and compete for another depth role in 2025, whether in Carolina or with another team. |
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Deven Thompkins Deven Thompkins Plays minimal role in Carolina
Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 3:02 PM
Thompkins caught all four of his targets for 20 yards and rushed two times for seven yards over seven regular-season games in 2024. He also tallied 134 kick-return yards and 19 punt-return yards.
Analysis: Thompkins spent most of his 2024 campaign bouncing between the Panthers' practice squad and active roster, appearing in seven consecutive games from Week 9 to Week 16. The 25-year-old played a minimal role on Carolina's offense, logging just six touches over 51 offensive snaps. He also wasn't much of a factor in the return game, stepping in for Raheem Blackshear and serving as the team's top return specialist in Weeks 14 and 15. Thompkins is now set to be a restricted free agent this summer, but it wouldn't be surprising if he lands elsewhere, as he was a healthy scratch in the Panthers' final two games of the season. |
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Andy Dalton Andy Dalton Starts five games in 2024
Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 2:34 PM
Dalton completed 106 of his 160 pass attempts for 989 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions over six regular-season games in 2024. He also rushed 11 times for 34 yards and lost two fumbles.
Analysis: After the Panthers lost their first two games of the regular season by a combined 60 points, 2023 first-overall pick Bryce Young was benched in favor of Dalton, who then made five consecutive starts before injuring his thumb in a car accident. Dalton initially provided Carolina's offense with a much-needed spark, throwing for five touchdowns and one interception over his first two starts, before regressing in his final three games. He's now finished the final season of a two-year, $10 million deal signed with Carolina in 2023, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer. The 37-year-old is likely to serve as a backup quarterback again in 2025, whether with the Panthers or another team, if he decides to return for his 15th NFL season. |
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Dax Milne Dax Milne Sticks in Carolina on futures deal
Tue, Jan 7, 2025, 9:47 AM
The Panthers signed Milne to a reserve/futures contract Tuesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Milne originally signed onto Carolina's practice squad back in October, and now he'll start the new league year in the same place. His experience as a returner could help his case to join a shallow group of wide receivers in 2025. |
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Jordan Matthews Jordan Matthews Stays with Panthers on futures deal
Tue, Jan 7, 2025, 9:41 AM
Carolina signed Matthews to a reserve/futures contract Tuesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Matthews appeared in four games with the Panthers in 2024, drawing just one target for zero receptions on a total of 26 offensive snaps. Carolina also signed Dominique Dafney to a similar deal Tuesday, so the two may have to compete to distinguish themselves during the offseason. |
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Emani Bailey Emani Bailey Signs futures deal with Panthers
Tue, Jan 7, 2025, 9:20 AM
Carolina signed Bailey to a reserve/futures contract Tuesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Bailey spent the entire 2024 season on the practice squads of the Chiefs and Panthers, and now he'll be starting next season in the same place he left off. The main candidates for significant roles in Carolina's backfield in 2025 include Chuba Hubbard (knee), Jonathon Brooks (knee) and Miles Sanders. |
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Xavier Legette Xavier Legette Catches three passes vs. Falcons
Mon, Jan 6, 2025, 3:15 PM
Legette caught three of his five targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 44-38 overtime win over the Falcons.
Analysis: Legette was limited while playing through wrist and hip injuries in Sunday's game, finishing fourth among Panthers wide receivers in offensive snaps played (28). Despite the limited playing time, the 2024 first-round pick from South Carolina was somewhat productive, recording 30 or more receiving yards for the 10th time in his rookie campaign. With the Panthers out of playoff contention, Legette concluded his first pro season with 49 receptions for 497 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games, ranking seventh in receiving yards among rookies in Carolina's history. |
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Adam Thielen Adam Thielen Evaluating playing future
Mon, Jan 6, 2025, 12:39 PM
Thielen said Monday he intents to evaluate his potential playing future now that Carolina's regular season has concluded, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Thielen said he's currently leaning a certain direction but isn't ready to reveal his thoughts. The 34-year-old veteran has one year remaining on his contract with the Panthers, though Carolina has a potential out this offseason with only $5 million in dead cap. Still, Thielen was again one of Bryce Young's most trusted targets in the passing game during the 2024 campaign, in which he compiled a 48-615-5 line on 62 targets, despite suiting up for just 10 games. If Thielen decides to continue his NFL career, it would seem in the best interest of both sides for him to stick with the Panthers. |
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Jalen Coker Jalen Coker Leads pass-catching corps in win
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 6:43 PM
Coker brought in all seven targets for 62 yards in the Panthers' 44-38 overtime win over the Falcons on Sunday.
Analysis: Coker led the Panthers in receptions, receiving yards and targets on the afternoon to cap off an encouraging rookie campaign that included a 100-yard effort in addition to Sunday's productive tally. The undrafted Holy Cross product recorded multiple receptions in each of his last seven games and will enter training camp next summer ready to compete for a higher spot on the depth chart. |
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Adam Thielen Adam Thielen Five-catch finale Sunday
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 6:34 PM
Thielen secured five of six targets for 44 yards in the Panthers' 44-38 overtime win over the Falcons on Sunday.
Analysis: Thielen made his usual solid contributions in the season-ending victory, finishing second in receptions and targets and third in receiving yards. Thielen was a key element in Bryce Young's resurgence over the second half of the campaign, and after a second straight productive season in Carolina, he could certainly be back in 2025 for what would be his contract year. |
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Tommy Tremble Tommy Tremble Catches touchdown vs. Falcons
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 6:33 PM
Tremble caught two of his three targets for 30 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 44-38 overtime win over the Falcons.
Analysis: The 24-year-old capped off his 2024 campaign on a high note Sunday, recording his third-highest receiving yardage total of the season and hauling in his second touchdown. However, Tremble was outpaced by rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, who logged three catches for 35 yards on five targets, marking the second time Sanders has surpassed him since returning from a neck injury in the Week 14 loss to the Eagles. Tremble appeared in 12 games for the Panthers this season, catching 23 of his 32 targets for 234 yards and two touchdowns. |
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Miles Sanders Miles Sanders Productive in return to action
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 6:24 PM
Sanders rushed 17 times for 66 yards and a touchdown and brought in three of four targets for 50 yards and another score in the Panthers' 44-38 overtime win over the Falcons on Sunday. He also fumbled once, but possession remained with Carolina.
Analysis: Making his return from a six-game absence, Sanders had fresh legs and an exuberant play style in the wild regular-season finale. Sanders visited the end zone as both a rusher and receiver, striking via a 33-yard scoring reception and a game-winning one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and overtime, respectively. Sanders has had a rollercoaster first two seasons in Carolina due to both performance issues and injury, but he'll presumably have a chance for a clean slate and a healthy season in 2025. |
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Raheem Blackshear Raheem Blackshear Efficient in regular-season finale
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 6:23 PM
Blackshear rushed four times for 47 yards in Sunday's 44-38 overtime win over the Falcons.
Analysis: The Virginia Tech product returned to his reserve role, playing behind Miles Sanders, who delivered a monster performance in Sunday's overtime win with 20 touches for 116 yards and a touchdown. Blackshear was extremely effective with his limited opportunities, rushing for 47 yards on just four carries (11.8 yards per carry), including a 27-yard run in the second quarter that helped set up a Panthers touchdown. The 26-year-old appeared in 16 games for Carolina this season, totaling 80 rushing yards on just 15 carries. He added 791 kick return yards and 145 punt return yards, serving as the Panthers' primary return specialist throughout the year. |
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Mike Boone Mike Boone Sees five touches in Week 18
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 6:14 PM
Boone rushed four times for 18 yards and caught his only target for minus-2 yards in Sunday's 44-38 overtime win over the Falcons.
Analysis: The 29-year-old shared the Panthers' top backup running back duties with Raheem Blackshear, playing behind Miles Sanders, who returned from an ankle injury in the Week 18 win. However, Boone was outproduced by both Sanders and Blackshear, as they averaged 5.8 and 11.8 yards per touch, respectively, compared to Boone's 3.2. The veteran back finished his 2024 campaign with 51 rushing yards on 13 carries, appearing in just six games. |
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Ja'Tavion Sanders Ja'Tavion Sanders Finishes rookie campaign strong
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 6:04 PM
Sanders caught three of his five targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 44-38 overtime win against the Falcons.
Analysis: Sanders had really struggled since returning from his neck injury in the Week 14 loss to the Eagles, managing to catch just one of his three targets for five yards over four games prior to Sunday's performance. The rookie tight end from Texas finished as the Panthers' fourth-leading receiver in Week 18, outpacing fellow tight end Tommy Tremble (30 yards). Sanders finished his rookie campaign as Carolina's top receiver from the tight end spot, recording 33 receptions for 342 yards and one touchdown in 16 appearances. |
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Bryce Young Bryce Young Five total TDs in OT win
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 4:40 PM
Young completed 25 of 34 passes for 251 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions and rushed five times for 24 yards and another two touchdowns in the Panthers' 44-38 overtime win over the Falcons on Sunday.
Analysis: Young put a fitting cap on a strong stretch run in which he finally began to look like a player befitting the top overall pick invested in him, tying a career high with his trio of touchdown passes and establishing a new personal best with five total scores. The TD tosses went to Miles Sanders (33 yards), Tommy Tremble (12 yards) and David Moore (nine yards), and Young tacked on two more end-zone trips via two- and 10-yard rushes. The second-year signal-caller finished the regular season with three straight games with multiple touchdown passes, as well as four rushing scores in his last four contests. Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports that head coach Dave Canales gave his young quarterback a significant vote of confidence during his postgame press conference, noting that "Bryce is our quarterback" and adding he was proud of how Young had successfully taken on the challenge of improving after being benched early in the campaign. |
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Velus Jones Velus Jones Inactive for Week 18
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 11:47 AM
Jones (coach's decision) is a healthy inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: With the Panthers bringing back Miles Sanders (ankle) from injured reserve for the season finale, the team won't have a need to keep Jones active as a third option at running back. Raheem Blackshear and Mike Boone are instead in line to serve as the backup options behind Sanders. After Carolina signed him off the Bears' practice squad on Dec. 10, Jones appeared in two games and carried once for zero yards while playing three snaps on offense. |
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Raheem Blackshear Raheem Blackshear Back to reserve role Sunday
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 11:15 AM
Blackshear is expected to cede the start at running back to Miles Sanders (ankle) on Sunday in Atlanta, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: Blackshear got the first chance to lead the backfield in the wake of Chuba Hubbard (knee) landing on IR prior to Week 17, but despite handling a 77 percent snap share last Sunday at Tampa Bay, the former had eight carries for 20 yards and wasn't targeted. Now with Sanders off injured reserve, he's in line to swap in for Blackshear, which isn't much of a surprise considering his vast experience as a No. 1 back. Blackshear thus will be vying with Mike Boone for complementary reps behind Sanders on Sunday. |
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Xavier Legette Xavier Legette Suiting up in Week 18
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 10:56 AM
Legette (hip/wrist) is active for Sunday's game at Atlanta, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: Legette will continue to play through hip and wrist injuries, the latter of which may require surgery after the season. Still, he'll aim to end his rookie campaign on a high note, as he's seen at least eight targets in three of his last four appearances. Having said that, Legette has managed just a 13-127-0 line on 28 targets during that span. |
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