Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
How will the Panthers’ depth chart look for Week 1? Well probably like this . . .
The Carolina Panthers are not a finished product as we scoot through this Labor Day weekend. But they’ll need to turn something in ahead of Week 1, despite the work that’s left to be done to the roster.
We take a crack at that here, as we give you our projections for the team’s first regular-season depth chart as they prepare to host the New York Jets in the 2021 opener.
The Panthers could be getting closer to finding a returner, as they brought in WR Alex Erickson for a visit.
Even after crafting their active 53-man roster, the Carolina Panthers have been trying to nail down a returner on special teams, at least for Week 1. Well, they may be getting closer to doing so.
As reported by ESPN’s Field Yates, the team brought veteran wideout Alex Erickson in for a visit on Friday. Erickson spent each of his five professional seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he served primarily on punt and kick return duties.
Some late week tryouts/visits:
* Seahawks worked out LB Daren Bates and LB Kamal Martin
* Panthers hosted WR Alex Erickson on a visit
* Jets worked out S Adrian Colbert
* Colts worked out S Steven Parker
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 3, 2021
The six-foot, 195-pounder brings in a wealth of experience in this aspect, something no member on the Panthers’ current roster can come close to laying claim to. He’s fielded a total of 135 punts and 108 kickoffs since 2016, averaging 8.0 yards and 24.7 yards, respectively, on his attempts.
Carolina’s current favorites for the jobs include fourth-year receiver Brandon Zylstra and rookies Shi Smith and C.J. Saunders. Zylstra, however, has only returned five punts in his career. Additionally, Smith is nursing a shoulder injury that may keep him out for a bit while Saunders remains down on the practice squad.
Erickson, undoubtedly, would take over the honors if he’s signed.
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Former Wisconsin wide receiver Alex Erickson signed a one-year deal with the Houston Texans last month, locking in his sixth NFL season.
Former Wisconsin wide receiver Alex Erickson signed a one-year deal with the Houston Texans last month, the deal locking in his sixth NFL season.
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) March 30, 2021
The former Badger was featured mainly on special teams during his five years with the Cincinnati Bengals, his best year being a 39-catch, 278-yard campaign in 2017.
Erickson now joins a Texans receiving core led by veterans Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb—obviously a group that looks nothing like their DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller tandem from just a few years ago.
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The Houston Texans have signed former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Alex Erickson to a one-year contract.
Although “dependable, tough, smart” was a favorite phrase of the previous regime, the Nick Caserio era is actually following through with that adage.
According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Texans have signed former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Alex Erickson to a one-year contract.
Erickson, 28, was an undrafted free agent from Wisconsin in 2016 who caught on with the Bengals as a returner with 810 kickoff return yards on 29 kicks. Throughout his career with Cincinnati, Erickson provided a 24.7 kickoff return average and an 8.0 yards per punt average. He also caught 93 passes for 1,086 yards and a touchdown throughout his 80 games with the Bengals, 14 of which he started.
The 6-0, 195-pound wideout has played more on offense in the past two seasons than on special teams, where he has staked his reputation. Nevertheless, the Texans are getting a dependable contributor to bolster their depth at the receiver position.
