Tag: Eddy Pineiro

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!

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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

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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 –

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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

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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.

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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.

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Panthers release K Harrison Mevis, add OL Tyler Smith

Farewell, Thiccer Kicker.

The Carolina Panthers have seemingly put an end to their kicker competition.

As announced by the team on Sunday afternoon, rookie kicker Harrison Mevis has been waived. That leaves the job to veteran Eddy Piñeiro, who served as Carolina’s place kicker for the previous two seasons.

Over that time, Piñeiro connected on 58 of his 64 field goal attempts (90.6 percent) and 47 of his 52 extra-point tries (90.4 percent). His career field goal percentage of 89.0 percent currently stands as the third-highest in NFL history—behind only Baltimore’s Justin Tucker (90.1 percent) and Kansas City’s Harrison Butker (89.1 percent).

As for the more current Harrison in Carolina, Mevis departs after spending the spring and summer with the Panthers. Known as the “Thiccer Kicker,” the 243-pound University of Missouri product signed on with the organization as an undrafted free agent in May.

Mevis put up the only points for the Panthers in their preseason loss to the New England Patriots this past Thursday, nailing a 41-yard field goal in the 17-3 loss.

The Panthers have added offensive lineman and Laurinburg, N.C. native Tyler Smith in Mevis’ place.

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Panthers K Eddy Piñeiro questions if NFL’s new kickoff rule will last

The NFL’s new kickoff rule isn’t off to a hot start.

The early reviews on the NFL’s new kickoff rule are coming in and . . . uh . . . they don’t seem to be too great.

This weekend’s slate of preseason action gave players, coaches and fans a look at the new norm. But after a failed first impression, as well as a ton of confusion, Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Piñeiro wonders if it’ll be the norm for much longer.

“Is it even gonna stay?” Piñeiro questioned as he spoke to reporters following Sunday’s practice. “I’ve been looking at some preseason games and a lot of flags been thrown, guys aren’t getting into the landing zone. It’s happened to me in practice—getting the ball into the landing zone to try to hit a driver and different things.

“But yeah, the question’s there. I’m very curious if they’re gonna keep it or if they’re gonna go back to the old rules. Yeah, I don’t know.”

Well, neither do the folks who also watched over the past few days . . .

But does Eddy at least like the new rule?

“Uh, sure. I mean, I’ve been forced to like it,” he said with a laugh.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales gives some insight into team’s kicker competition

Panthers HC Dave Canales on his team’s kicker competition: “I’d like to drag that out as long as possible.”

How much longer will Harrison Mevis go toe-to-toe with Eddy Piñeiro? Well, the man who has to make the decision on that still isn’t sure.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales chatted it up with reporters following the second outing of training camp on Thursday. He was asked if his two kickers will continue to get equal opportunities as they compete for the job this summer.

“I don’t know,” Canales replied. “I think we’ll just keep alternating the days. Harrison had a really good day, missed a long one. Eddy kicked great yesterday. So, let’s just bring this out.

“I learned this from Pete [Carroll]—don’t make a decision until the last possible time that you have to so you can just keep gathering information. The evaluation process continues. So I’d like to drag that out as long as possible.”

Mevis, an undrafted rookie, hit on four of his five field goals this morning—with the miss coming on a 52-yard attempt. Piñeiro, who also received five tries on Wednesday, didn’t miss any kicks—including a 52-yarder of his own.

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Panthers projected depth chart heading into 2024 training camp

You may want to keep this projected depth chart handy ahead of the Panthers’ 2024 training camp.

Summer break is nearly over for the Carolina Panthers.

On Friday, rookies will report back to Charlotte for the start of this year’s training camp. They’ll be followed by the veterans after the weekend, who will be in right before the first outing of practice on Wednesday.

But what do the team’s pecking orders look like across the program as of now?

Here is our full projected depth chart for Carolina’s current 90-man roster heading into camp:

Offense:

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th
QB Bryce Young Andy Dalton Jack Plummer
RB Chuba Hubbard Miles Sanders Jonathon Brooks Raheem Blackshear Rashaad Penny Mike Boone Jaden Shirden
WR Diontae Johnson Jonathan Mingo David Moore Cam Sims Sam Pinckney
WR Xavier Legette Terrace Marshall Jr. Michael Strachan Jalen Coker Daewood Davis
SWR Adam Thielen Ihmir Smith-Marsette
TE Tommy Tremble Ian Thomas Stephen Sullivan Ja’Tavion Sanders Jordan Matthews
LT Ikem Ekwonu Yosh Nijman Ricky Lee Jeremiah Crawford
LG Damien Lewis Cade Mays
C Austin Corbett Brady Christensen Andrew Raym
RG Robert Hunt Chandler Zavala Nash Jensen J.D. DiRenzo
RT Taylor Moton Badara Traore Christian Duffie

Defense:

1st 2nd 3rd 4th
DE Derrick Brown LaBryan Ray T.J. Smith Junior Aho
DT Shy Tuttle Nick Thurman Ulumoo Ale
DE A’Shawn Robinson Jaden Crumedy Popo Aumavae
OLB Jadeveon Clowney K’Lavon Chaisson Amaré Barno Eku Leota Derrick McLendon
ILB Shaq Thompson Trevin Wallace Chandler Wooten Claudin Cherelus
ILB Josey Jewell Tae Davis Michael Barrett Jackson Mitchell
OLB D.J. Wonnum DJ Johnson Cam Gill Luiji Vilain Kenny Dyson Jr.
CB Jaycee Horn D’Shawn Jamison Lamar Jackson
CB Dane Jackson Dicaprio Bootle Willie Drew
SS Xavier Woods Jammie Robinson Sam Franklin Jr. Demani Richardson Clayton Isbell
FS Jordan Fuller Nick Scott Alex Cook
NCB Troy Hill Chau Smith-Wade

Special teams:

1st 2nd
K Eddy Piñeiro Harrison Mevis
P Johnny Hekker
LS JJ Jansen
KR Raheem Blackshear Ihmir Smith-Marsette Xavier Legette
PR Ihmir Smith-Marsette Xavier Legette

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