Tag: Eddy Pineiro

Panthers HC Dave Canales talks about heartbreaking loss to Buccaneers

Panthers HC Dave Canales was asked what he told his team after their heartbreaking overtime loss to the Buccaneers in Week 13.

The winningest head coach in Carolina Panthers history, Ron Rivera, would blame what happened today on “missed opportunities.” The current head coach of the Carolina Panthers, Dave Canales, has some similar terminology for the same type of result.

Week 13 saw the Panthers cough up an overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an outing where they had multiple openings to clinch a victory. Canales began his presser following the 26-23 defeat by stating the obvious.

“The story of the day—just, we gotta control the things we can control,” he said to reporters. “We gotta make our kicks, we gotta take care of the ball at the end right there. We’re in a field goal position right there, to be able to win the game in overtime. Just the execution, all across the board, there’s some good football in there and there’s some bad football and we gotta continue to attack it. But it’s just the things that we gave away.”

Running back Chuba Hubbard, with a chance to set up an easy walk-off field goal, literally gave away the ball at Tampa Bay’s 30-yard line in overtime. The Buccaneers capitalized on the error—as they pieced together a five-play, 59-yard drive to help give their kicker, Chase McLaughlin, a 30-yard game-winner.

Carolina’s kicker, Eddy Piñeiro, didn’t have as memorable of a day. He missed on two of his five attempts, one of 38 yards and the other of 45.

Canales was then asked what he told the team after the heartbreaking loss.

“It’s the things that we control,” he replied. “The things that were well within our control in terms of just getting down there in field goal range, coming away with points there, taking care of the ball right there at the end—because that’s on us.”

The Panthers missed their opportunity to double their win total from last season, moving to 3-9 on the campaign.

[lawrence-related id=707689,707692,707682]

Panthers K Eddy Piñeiro injured knee in one of the most silly, but understandable ways imaginable

Panthers K Eddy Piñeiro might’ve celebrated a bit too hard after nailing a game-winning field goal in Week 10.

Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Piñeiro has had a lot to celebrate over the past few weeks. But he might have to make sure he doesn’t celebrate too hard from now on.

Piñeiro, unexpectedly, was listed as a limited participant at Thursday’s practice due to a left knee injury. He was then, in a worrisome development, put down as a non-participant for today’s session and deemed questionable for Sunday’s matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Well, turns out Piñeiro actually injured his knee in one of the most silly (but very understandable) ways imaginable.

According to head coach Dave Canales, Piñeiro tweaked the knee while celebrating his walk-off field goal against the New York Giants in Week 10. His 36-yard field goal resulted in a 20-17 overtime triumph for the Panthers and this little party on the seemingly perilous pitch of Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany . . .

That kick also helped Piñeiro become the most accurate field goal kicker in league history. He entered the bye with a success rate of 89.381 percent, which would move past the mark of Baltimore’s Justin Tucker after Tucker missed a pair of tries in Week 11.

Luckily for the Panthers, Piñeiro is still expected to play this weekend.

[lawrence-related id=707260,707169,707120]

Panthers Week 12 injury report: WR Adam Thielen expected to play vs. Chiefs

Panthers WR Adam Thielen is expected to make his return in Week 12.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young should have his safety net back here in Week 12.

According to head coach Dave Canales, wide receiver Adam Thielen (questionable) is expected to play in this Sunday’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 11th-year veteran, who has missed the last seven games due to a hamstring injury, led the team in receptions (103) and receiving yards (1,014) in 2023.

Canales and crew are also expecting rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (questionable) to make his NFL debut in the contest. Brooks, Carolina’s second-round selection from the 2024 draft, tore his ACL last November.

Kicker Eddy Piñeiro (questionable), per Canales, will suit up as well. Canales told reporters that Piñeiro tweaked his knee while celebrating his walk-off kick against the New York Giants in Week 10.

Here’s the week’s final injury report in its entirety:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
RB Miles Sanders Ankle DNP DNP DNP Out
G Damien Lewis Illness DNP Limited Full –
DL A’Shawn Robinson Rest DNP Full Full –
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Knee DNP Limited Full Questionable
OLB Amaré Barno Knee Limited DNP Limited Doubtful
LT Ikem Ekwonu Ankle Limited Limited Full –
CB Jaycee Horn Calf Limited Limited Limited –
DL LaBryan Ray Hand Limited Full Full Questionable
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring Limited Limited Limited Questionable
S Xavier Woods Shoulder Limited Limited Full –
OLB DJ Johnson Concussion Full Limited Full Questionable
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Full Full Full Questionable
OT Taylor Moton Rest DNP Full –
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Limited Full Questionable
K Eddy Piñeiro Left knee Limited DNP Questionable
WR Jalen Coker Quadriceps DNP Questionable

[lawrence-related id=707134,707169,707121]

Panthers WR Adam Thielen limited in practice on Thursday

The Panthers, for the second straight day, listed WR Adam Thielen as a limited participant in practice.

Carolina Panthers wideout Adam Thielen was a limited participant for the second straight day of practice.

The 11th-year receiver, who has missed the last seven games due to a hamstring injury, is expected to make his return on Sunday—when the Panthers host the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Thielen was officially activated to the 53-man roster ahead of the team’s Week 10 win over the New York Giants.

Carolina also added a trio of players to the listing this afternoon—starting right tackle Taylor Moton (rest), outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum (quadriceps) and kicker Eddy Piñeiro (left knee). Moton was held out while Wonnum and Piñeiro were limited.

Here’s the full injury report from Thursday:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
RB Miles Sanders Ankle DNP DNP
G Damien Lewis Illness DNP Limited
DL A’Shawn Robinson Rest DNP Full
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Knee DNP Limited
OLB Amaré Barno Knee Limited DNP
LT Ikem Ekwonu Ankle Limited Limited
CB Jaycee Horn Calf Limited Limited
DL LaBryan Ray Hand Limited Full
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring Limited Limited
S Xavier Woods Shoulder Limited Limited
OLB DJ Johnson Concussion Full Limited
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Full Full
OT Taylor Moton Rest DNP
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Limited
K Eddy Piñeiro Left knee Limited

[lawrence-related id=707169,707045,707002]

Panthers’ Eddy Piñeiro is now NFL’s most accurate FG kicker ever . . . and he didn’t even play this week

Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Piñeiro became the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history on Sunday . . . and he didn’t even play. Here’s how:

Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Piñeiro became the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history on Sunday . . . and he didn’t even play.

Piñeiro, while enjoying his team’s bye, entered Week 11 with a career field goal rate of 89.381 percent—the second-highest ever. That mark had him barely behind Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, who sat atop the all-time list at 89.716 percent.

Well, Tucker didn’t have himself a very good showing against the Pittsburgh Steelers this afternoon.

The future Hall of Famer started off his outing by missing on a 47-yard attempt almost 10 minutes into the first quarter. He’d then miss his next try, a 50-yarder, on Baltimore’s very next possession.

Tucker was able to shake off the pair of whiffs to successfully convert on his third go, a 54-yarder with 6:12 remaining in the third quarter. But it wouldn’t be enough to recover in the ranks.

Those misses, even along with the make, now have Tucker at 89.347 percent—.034 percent below Piñeiro.

Congrats, Steady Eddy!

[lawrence-related id=706983,706964,706945]

Carolina Panthers players who are free agents in 2025

With the trade deadline now behind us, let’s take a look at the Panthers who are set to become free agents following the 2024 season:

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The 2024 NFL trade deadline has come and gone, and it didn’t go without a few moves from the Carolina Panthers.

Last week, the team shipped off wideout Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens in a trade involving a late-round pick swap for the 2025 draft. And yesterday, in a much more favorable return, they sent fellow receiver Jonathan Mingo over to the Dallas Cowboys.

So now that those departures are official, we could start looking ahead towards free agency for quite a few more.

Here are Panthers whose contracts are set to expire following the season:

  • QB Andy Dalton
  • RB Chuba Hubbard (Signed four-year extension)
  • RB Raheem Blackshear (RFA)
  • WR David Moore
  • WR Jalen Coker (ERFA)
  • TE Tommy Tremble
  • TE Ian Thomas
  • TE Feleipe Franks (RFA)
  • OL Brady Christensen
  • OL Cade Mays
  • C Austin Corbett
  • DL LaBryan Ray
  • DL DeShawn Williams
  • DL Jonathan Harris
  • DL Raequan Williams (ERFA)
  • OLB Charles Harris
  • OLB Thomas Incoom
  • OLB Cam Gill
  • ILB Shaq Thompson
  • CB Mike Jackson
  • CB Lonnie Johnson Jr.
  • CB Anthony Brown
  • S Xavier Woods
  • S Jordan Fuller
  • S Sam Franklin Jr.
  • S Nick Scott
  • S Demani Richardson (ERFA)
  • K Eddy Piñeiro
  • P Johnny Hekker
  • LS JJ Jansen

*RFA = Restricted free agent
*ERFA = Exclusive rights free agent

[lawrence-related id=706364,706472,706432]

Panthers Week 8 injury report: Top 2 WRs ruled out vs. Broncos

The Panthers won’t have WRs Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen for Sunday’s matchup in Denver.

Bryce Young will have to make do without the Carolina Panthers’ top two pass catchers in his return under center.

The team has ruled out wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen from Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Broncos. Johnson (ribs) leads the Panthers in targets (58), receptions (30), receiving yards (357) and receiving touchdowns (three) while Thielen—last year’s leading receiver—is still working his way back from a hamstring injury.

Carolina will also be without outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum (quad) and safeties Jordan Fuller (hamstring), Nick Scott (hamstring) and Jammie Robinson (knee).

Here’s the full injury report from Friday:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
QB Andy Dalton Right thumb DNP DNP DNP Doubtful
CB Dane Jackson Hamstring DNP DNP Limited Doubtful
WR Diontae Johnson Rib/rest DNP DNP DNP Out
DL A’Shawn Robinson Knee DNP Limited Limited Questionable
S Nick Scott Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Limited Limited Limited Doubtful
LB Claudin Cherelus Hamstring Limited Limited Limited Questionable
S Jordan Fuller  Hamstring Limited Limited Limited Out
LB Josey Jewell Hamstring/groin Limited Limited Limited Questionable
OT Taylor Moton Elbow Limited Limited Limited Questionable
OT Yosh Nijman Knee Limited Limited Limited Questionable
LB Jon Rhattigan Knee Limited Full Full –
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders Groin/wrist Limited Limited Full –
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring Limited Limited DNP Out
TE Tommy Tremble Back Limited Limited Full Questionable
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Limited DNP Limited Out
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Shoulder Limited Full Full Questionable
DL Jaden Crumedy Ankle Full Full Full Questionable
S Sam Franklin Jr. Personal/foot DNP Full Full Questionable
S Jammie Robinson Knee Limited DNP DNP Out
RB Raheem Blackshear Shoulder Full Full Full –
K Eddy Piñeiro Personal DNP DNP –

[lawrence-related id=705649,705652,705630]

Panthers WR Diontae Johnson misses 2nd straight practice on Thursday

Panthers WR Diontae Johnson has now missed two practices in a row due to a rib injury.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young may not have his offense’s top target in his return under center on Sunday.

Wideout Diontae Johnson did not participate in Thursday’s practice due to a rib injury. The sixth-year receiver was also held out of Wednesday’s session.

Johnson currently leads the Panthers in targets (58), receptions (30), receiving yards (357) and receiving touchdowns (three).

Here’s the team’s full injury report for Thursday . . .

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
QB Andy Dalton Right thumb DNP DNP
CB Dane Jackson Hamstring DNP DNP
WR Diontae Johnson Rib/rest DNP DNP
DL A’Shawn Robinson Knee DNP Limited
S Nick Scott Hamstring DNP DNP
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Limited Limited
LB Claudin Cherelus Hamstring Limited Limited
S Jordan Fuller  Hamstring Limited Limited
LB Josey Jewell Hamstring/groin Limited Limited
OT Taylor Moton Elbow Limited Limited
OT Yosh Nijman Knee Limited Limited
LB Jon Rhattigan Knee Limited Full
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders Groin/wrist Limited Limited
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring Limited Limited
TE Tommy Tremble Back Limited Limited
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Limited DNP
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Shoulder Limited Full
DL Jaden Crumedy Ankle Full Full
S Sam Franklin Jr. Personal/foot DNP Full
S Jammie Robinson Knee Limited DNP
RB Raheem Blackshear Shoulder Full Full
K Eddy Piñeiro Personal DNP

[lawrence-related id=705626,705608,705619]

Initial 53-man roster projection for the 2024 Panthers

Here is our final projection for the Panthers’ initial 2024 53-man roster:

Now that the preseason is officially in the books, the Carolina Panthers have another task to tackle—the big cutdown.

Between now and 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the Panthers and the rest of the NFL’s 31 teams must get down to their initial 53-player rosters.

Here is our final projection for Carolina’s initial 53:

Quarterbacks (2)

In: Bryce Young, Andy Dalton
Out: Jack Plummer

Plummer impressed in the summer finale, completing 21 of his 29 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. But that still won’t be enough to devote a third spot on the roster to a quarterback.

Running backs (4)

In: Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone
Out: Jaden Shirden
Reserve/NFI list: Jonathon Brooks

Boone has benefitted from the inactivity of both Blackshear and Brooks, who isn’t expected back for at least a handful of weeks into the regular season. And luckily for the former, his successful track record as a kick returner keeps him around.

Wide receivers (6)

In: Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, David Moore
Out: Terrace Marshall Jr., Michael Strachan, Jalen Coker, Sam Pinckney

The sixth and final spot came down to Marshall Jr. and Moore. Moore’s experience on special teams and his previous history with head coach Dave Canales in both Seattle and Tampa Bay give him the edge.

Tight ends (4)

In: Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jordan Matthews
Out: Feleipe Franks, Jacob Hollister, Jesper Horsted

Matthews earned his spot with a spectacular summer. The 32-year-old opened the preseason with a team-high 48 receiving yards in New England and ended it with a touchdown to kick off the last outing in Buffalo.

Offensive linemen (9)

In: Ikem Ekwonu, Damien Lewis, Austin Corbett, Robert Hunt, Taylor Moton, Brady Christensen, Yosh Nijman, Cade Mays, Chandler Zavala
Out: Ricky Lee, Jeremiah Crawford, Mason Brooks, Andrew Raym, Jack Anderson, Ike Boettger, Tyler Smith

Given that he’s the only true center on the roster, Raym has a shot to stick on. But the versatility of backups such as Nijman, Christensen and Mays allows the Panthers to keep the number of hog mollies at nine.

Defensive linemen (5)

In: Derrick Brown, A’Shawn Robinson, Shy Tuttle, Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray
Out: Jaden Crumedy, T.J. Smith, Ulomoo Ale, Jayden Peevy, Walter Palmore, Junior Aho

Crumedy, the team’s sixth-round selection from this spring, could be in trouble while dealing a high-ankle sprain. So could Smith, who’d be a favorite to sneak back on as a practice squad member after recording a pair of sacks this preseason.

Outside linebackers (5)

In: Jadeveon Clowney, K’Lavon Chaisson, DJ Johnson, Eku Leota, Luiji Vilain
Out: Cam Gill, Derrick McLendon, Kenny Dyson
Reserve/Physically unable to perform list: D.J. Wonnum, Amaré Barno

Vilain and Gill could be battling for the fifth locker. But if it actually doesn’t go to either, look for the Panthers to pick up a pass rusher off the street.

Inside linebackers (4)

In: Shaq Thompson, Josey Jewell, Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherelus
Out: Chandler Wooten, Tae Davis, Aaron Beasley

Canales does not take special teams prowess for granted. Cherelus and Wooten could claim spots with theirs.

Cornerbacks (6)

In: Jaycee Horn, Michael Jackson, Troy Hill, Chau Smith-Wade, Dicaprio Bootle, D’Shawn Jamison
Out: Willie Drew, Chris Wilcox, Quandre Mosely
Injured: Dane Jackson

The “significant” hamstring injury to Jackson (Dane, that is) could force the Panthers to keep a few outside options—including both Bootle and Jamison.

Safeties (5)

In: Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Jammie Robinson, Alex Cook
Out: Demani Richardson, Rudy Ford
Injured: Sam Franklin Jr.

As Canales has stated, there’s no replacing Franklin Jr.—who will be out for quite a bit while healing up a broken foot. Cook, however, could give the Panthers a little bit back on special teams.

Specialists (3)

In: Eddy Piñeiro, Johnny Hekker, JJ Jansen

Well, nothing to see here.

[lawrence-related id=702268,702246,702241]

Consistency helps Panthers K Eddy Piñeiro secure early summer victory

The Panthers opted for the known and consistent commodity in this summer’s kicker competition.

Having a consistent kicker on your NFL roster is important. And over the last two seasons, the Carolina Panthers have had exactly that in Eddy Piñeiro.

Even still, a league-worst 2-15 record and a brand-new head coach called for competition at almost every position.

So with a fresh outlook came a fresh leg for the Panthers—who signed University of Missouri kicker Harrison Mevis following the 2024 NFL draft. Known as the “Thiccer Kicker” for his relatively large frame, the 243-pounder was seen as an early challenger to Piñeiro.

Despite having made 90.6 percent of his field goal attempts as a Panther, Piñeiro had his doubters this offseason. Those voices got even louder upon his absences from voluntary minicamp and team organized activities.

There have also been some questions about his reliability from range—particularly in the clutch. While he did come through with a pair of game-winning field goals in Carolina’s two wins in 2023, those occurred within easy striking range at 23 yards apiece.

It was his painful misses from two years ago, in Carolina’s heartbreaking Halloween weekend loss to the Atlanta Falcons, that have left some detractors. Piñeiro failed to hit on the game-winning extra point after DJ Moore’s miraculous 62-yard touchdown as well as another game winner, a 32-yard field goal try, in overtime.

Nonetheless, he remains a consistent kicker overall. Piñeiro’s career field goal percentage (89.0 percent) sits third all-time—behind only Baltimore’s Justin Tucker (90.1 percent) and Kansas City’s Harrison Butker (89.1 percent).

What stood out in training camp was his ability to consistently boot it down the middle. Per The Athletic’s Joe Person, Piñeiro successfully converted on 23 of his 25 attempts while Mevis went 22-for-28.

Rarely do you find kickers that have a combination of great power and accuracy. Piñeiro is more of an accurate, straight-line boot.

He doesn’t offer the power to consistently generate big kicks from beyond 50 yards. In the broad spectrum of things, that’s okay.

So the decision to go with Piñeiro over Mevis is understandable. And now, the former has to prove that he’s worth the new contract he may or may not have stayed away for this spring.

[lawrence-related id=701638,701641,701633]