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James Mitchell James Mitchell Three catches in 2025
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 6:01 PM
Mitchell caught all three of his targets for 28 yards across five regular-season games in 2025.
Analysis: The 2022 fifth-round pick from Virginia Tech operated as Carolina's No. 4 tight end and was active primarily when Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle, IR) or Tommy Tremble were sidelined this season. Mitchell contributed both offensively and on special teams during his five appearances, logging 46 offensive snaps and 39 on special teams. He's set to become a restricted free agent following the Panthers' 2025 playoff campaign, but his future with the team remains uncertain, as Sanders, Tremble and rookie Mitchell Evans are all under contract for 2026. |
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Mitchell Evans Mitchell Evans Solid rookie campaign in Carolina
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 5:51 PM
Evans caught 19 of 25 targets for 171 yards and two touchdowns and rushed once for one yard across 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Analysis: Despite opening the season as the Panthers' No. 3 tight end, Evans started 10 games and played 391 offensive snaps during his rookie campaign, largely due to Carolina's frequent use of two- and three-tight-end sets. The 2025 fifth-round pick from Notre Dame was used primarily as a blocker but also held his own as a receiver, averaging 9.0 yards per reception. With Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle, IR) out for Carolina's 2025 playoff run, Evans is set to operate as the team's top backup behind Tommy Tremble. Even with Tremble and Sanders under contract for 2026 season, Evans will likely be more involved in the Panthers' offensive game plan. |
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Brycen Tremayne Brycen Tremayne Performs well in depth role
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 5:35 PM
Tremayne caught 14 of 18 targets for 160 yards across 16 regular-season games in 2025.
Analysis: Tremayne had appeared in just two NFL games and totaled minus-2 receiving yards prior to his 2025 campaign with the Panthers, but he emerged as a valuable contributor this season. The Stanford product tallied 11.4 yards per reception while also playing a significant role on special teams, logging 262 offensive snaps and 231 on special teams. Set to become an exclusive-rights free agent following Carolina's 2025 playoff run, Tremayne is expected to be retained by the Panthers. If he returns for 2026, he'd likely remain a depth option at wide receiver while contributing on special teams. |
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Jimmy Horn Jimmy Horn Limited role during rookie campaign
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 2:06 PM
Horn caught 11 of 15 targets for 108 yards and rushed eight times for 69 yards across 14 regular-season games in 2025.
Analysis: Horn didn't play an offensive snap until the Week 5 win over the Dolphins and wasn't a major portion of Carolina's offensive game plan during his rookie season. The Colorado product finished the year as the Panthers' 10th-leading receiver and fifth-leading rusher. However, after flashing his blazing speed on a few occasions this season, Horn will likely be more involved in Carolina's offense following the team's 2025 playoff run. |
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Trevor Etienne Trevor Etienne Primary return man in rookie season
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 1:51 PM
Etienne rushed 20 times for 94 yards and caught all three of his targets for 13 yards across 17 regular-season games in 2025. Additionally, he recorded 733 kick-return yards and 163 punt-return yards.
Analysis: The 2025 fourth-round pick from Georgia was buried behind Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard in the Panthers' backfield, so it's no surprise he didn't see much offensive work throughout his rookie campaign. However, Etienne established himself as Carolina's top return man, finishing the regular season with the 19th-most kick-return yards in the NFL. While Dowdle is set to hit unrestricted free agency, the Panthers will still have Hubbard and 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks (knee) under contract next season, suggesting the backfield could remain crowded. As a result, Etienne will likely remain one of Carolina's top return specialists following the team's 2025 playoff run. |
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David Moore David Moore Returns from IR
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 9:38 AM
The Panthers reinstated Moore (elbow) from injured reserve Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Though Moore had been a full participant in practice for each of the previous three weeks, the Panthers waited until his 21-day evaluation window came to a close Tuesday before bringing him back from IR. Carolina waived receiver Hunter Renfrow to clear a spot on the 53-man roster for Moore, who had recorded one reception for five yards on one target while adding 12 yards on his lone carry in four appearances before he landed on IR on Oct. 1 due to a dislocated elbow. Despite making a full recovery from the injury, Moore isn't guaranteed to be active for the Panthers' postseason opener Saturday versus the Rams. |
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Tommy Tremble Tommy Tremble Big game without Sanders
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 11:01 AM
Tremble caught three of four targets for 38 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers.
Analysis: With Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle, IR) out for the Week 18 divisional matchup, Tremble assumed more of a receiving role in the Panthers' tight end room. The Notre Dame product finished as Carolina's third-leading receiver and caught Bryce Young's first touchdown pass of the day. Tremble has appeared in all 17 of the Panthers' regular-season games this year, catching 27 of 37 targets for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Carolina now needs Atlanta to beat New Orleans on Sunday to force a three-way tie for the NFC South title. In that scenario, the Panthers would hold the tiebreaker and make the playoffs as the NFC's No. 4 seed. |
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Xavier Legette Xavier Legette Three catches vs. Tampa Bay
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 10:57 AM
Legette caught three of four targets for 22 yards during Saturday's 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers.
Analysis: Legette's three catches Saturday marked his highest total in a game since the Week 12 loss to the 49ers. The 2024 first-round pick had a costly drop in the first quarter that cost the Panthers a first down, but he was otherwise perfect the rest of the way. On the season, Legette caught 35 of 64 targets for 363 yards and three touchdowns across 15 appearances. The Panthers now need the Falcons to beat the Saints during their Week 18 clash to force a three-way tie for the NFC South title. In that scenario, Carolina would hold the tiebreaker and host a wild-card playoff game. |
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Jalen Coker Jalen Coker Impresses in Week 18
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 10:50 AM
Coker caught six of seven targets for 47 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers.
Analysis: The second-year pro from Holy Cross led the Panthers in targets and receptions while finishing with the second-most receiving yards during Saturday's loss. Coker has established himself as Carolina's No. 2 wideout since returning from injury in the Week 7 win over the Jets, catching 33 of 43 targets for 394 yards and three touchdowns across 11 appearances. Following the Week 18 defeat, the Panthers now need the Falcons to beat the Saints on Sunday to force a three-way tie for the division title. In that scenario, Carolina would hold the division tiebreaker and earn the No. 4 seed in the NFC playoffs, hosting a wild-card game. |
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Chuba Hubbard Chuba Hubbard Meager production on seven touches
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 9:42 PM
Hubbard rushed five times for 10 yards and secured both targets for seven yards in the Panthers' 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday.
Analysis: Hubbard's day was as unproductive as his line suggests, although backfield mate Rico Dowdle fared even worse on the ground (1.4 yards per carry). The fifth-year pro's production saw a significant downturn in 2025 compared to the last two seasons, as a two-game absence in Weeks 5-6 opened the door for Dowdle to take over the lead-back role for an extended period. Hubbard finished with 511 rushing yards (3.8 yards per carry) and one touchdown while adding a 30-223-3 receiving line across 15 games, and he'll remain in a timeshare with Dowdle in the wild-card round if the Panthers qualify for the postseason via a Falcons win over the Saints on Sunday. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Forgettable afternoon in loss
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 7:32 PM
Dowdle rushed seven times for 10 yards and brought in both targets for 20 yards in the Panthers' 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday. He also lost a fumble and recovered another.
Analysis: Neither Dowdle nor Chuba Hubbard had any success against the Buccaneers' stout defensive front, with each back netting only 10 rushing yards. Dowdle made an impact with a 25-yard grab on one of his catches, while his other reception resulted in a five-yard loss. Additionally, his lost fumble came early in the fourth quarter at the Buccaneers' 24-yard line, and while it didn't lead to points since Chase McLaughlin had a 38-yard field-goal attempt blocked, it certainly robbed Carolina of what seemed to be a high-percentage scoring opportunity. Despite the disappointing finale, Dowdle had plenty of important contributions in his first Panthers season on his way to 1,076 rushing yards and six touchdowns alongside a 39-297-1 receiving line over 17 games, and he'll continue to play a key role in next weekend's wild-card round if the Falcons defeat the Saints on Sunday and make the Panthers the NFC South champions in the process. |
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Bryce Young Bryce Young Solid numbers in loss
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 7:26 PM
Young completed 24 of 35 passes for 266 yards with two touchdowns and one interception and rushed twice for minus-1 yard in the Panthers' 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday. He also committed a fumble recovered by Carolina.
Analysis: Young finished with an exponentially more aesthetic stat line than in his forgettable 54-yard performance against the Seahawks in a Week 17 loss, but the end result was still the same for his team. The third-year signal-caller spread the ball around plenty, connecting with nine different targets. Young hit Tommy Tremble and Jalen Coker for his pair of eight-yard scoring tosses, while his one interception came on the first play after the two-minute warning in the first half at Tampa Bay's 42-yard line and led to a Bucs field goal. Young's passing yardage total was his second highest since Week 3, and he wraps up the 2025 regular season with career highs in completion percentage (63.6), passing yardage (3,011), touchdown passes (23) and interceptions (11) across 16 games. Young and his teammates will pull for the Falcons to defeat the Saints on Sunday and make the Panthers the NFC South champions in the process, thereby allowing them to continue their season in next weekend's wild-card round. |
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Tetairoa McMillan Tetairoa McMillan Solid showing in loss
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 7:05 PM
McMillan brought in four of six targets for 85 yards and lost a fumble in the Panthers' 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday.
Analysis: McMillan paced the Panthers in receiving yards while checking in second to Jalen Coker in both receptions and targets. The rookie wideout's lost fumble came on Carolina's desperation lateral-heavy final play, when he lost the handle at his own 36-yard line to quell any chance of an extremely longshot bid to score a touchdown with no time remaining. McMillan did manage to get over the 1,000-yard mark for the season with his production, finishing his first NFL regular campaign with a 70-1,014-7 line while appearing in all 17 games. If the Falcons are able to defeat the Saints on Sunday, McMillan will also have his first NFL postseason appearance to look forward to in next weekend's wild-card round. |
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Hunter Renfrow Hunter Renfrow Healthy scratch for Week 18
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 2:20 PM
Renfrow (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: Renfrow continues his streak of healthy scratches. The Panthers will roll out Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Jimmy Horn and Brycen Tremayne for the Week 18 divisional matchup, leaving Renfrow as the odd man out once again. |
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David Moore David Moore Out for Week 18
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 1:07 PM
Moore (elbow) has been downgraded and ruled out ahead of Saturday's matchup against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: The 30-year-old wideout has practiced in full for three consecutive weeks, but it appears he's still not ready for in-game action just yet. Moore will remain on the Panthers' injured reserve list but could return for their wild-card matchup, should they secure the NFC South title in Week 18. While the veteran wideout is sidelined Saturday, expect Brycen Tremayne to operate as one of Carolina's top reserve pass catchers. |
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David Moore David Moore Could return Saturday
Thu, Jan 1, 2026, 11:52 AM
Moore (elbow) is listed as questionable ahead of Saturday's matchup against the Buccaneers.
Analysis: Moore practiced in full for the third consecutive week and could appear in his first game since the Week 4 loss to the Patriots during Saturday's divisional matchup. However, he must still be added to Carolina's active roster in order to play in the Week 18 contest. If the veteran wideout is active Saturday, he'll likely play a depth role in the team's receiving corps. |
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Ja'Tavion Sanders Ja'Tavion Sanders Officially placed on IR
Thu, Jan 1, 2026, 10:33 AM
The Panthers placed Sanders (fibula) on injured reserve Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Sanders facing recovery from surgery to address a broken right fibula suffered on the first play of Carolina's loss to Seattle in Week 17, with the expectation being that even if the Panthers manage a deep playoff run, he will miss the remainder of the 2025 campaign. With Sanders sidelined, Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans and James Mitchell will hold down the fort at TE for Carolina. Across 13 regular-season appearances in Year 2 of his NFL career, Sanders secured 29 of 34 targets for 190 yards and one touchdown. |
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David Moore David Moore Logs full practice Wednesday
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 1:22 PM
Moore (elbow) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The veteran wideout has practiced in full since being designated to return from the injured reserve list on Dec. 17, so he could suit up for the Panthers' Week 18 matchup against the Buccaneers, a game that could decide the NFC South champion. However, he must still be added to Carolina's active roster in order to suit up Sunday. If active in Week 18, expect Moore to play a depth role in the Panthers' receiving corps. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Logs full practice Wednesday
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 1:14 PM
Dowdle (toe) practiced fully Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: Dowdle was held out of Tuesday's walkthrough due to what coach Dave Canales called a sore toe, per Gannt. However, Dowdle's return to all activity one day later indicates the absence likely was maintenance-based more than anything. Since the Panthers' Week 14 bye, Dowdle has turned 45 touches into 160 yards from scrimmage and one TD, while fellow RB Chuba Hubbard notched 90 total yards and no TDs on 23 touches during that span. Expect a similar breakdown of reps between the two Saturday at Tampa Bay with a potential playoff berth on the line. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Returns to practice Wednesday
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 12:08 PM
Dowdle (toe) is participating in practice Wednesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Dowdle missed Tuesday's walk-through practice due to a sore toe, so it's encouraging to see him already back on the field as at least a limited participant. As long as Dowdle is able to continue practicing in some capacity Thursday, it will bode well for his chances of being cleared to face the Buccaneers on Sunday, a contest that may determine the winner of the NFC South title. Dowdle exploded onto the scene midway through the 2025 regular season and revitalized Carolina's rushing game, but he's since been in a slump, having averaged just 47.3 rushing yards per game across his last seven appearances. |
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