The Panthers have brought back rookie WR Sam Pinckney.
The Carolina Panthers brought back a familiar face on Wednesday.
As announced this morning, the team has added wideout Sam Pinckney to their practice squad. The rookie receiver, who was signed by Carolina following the 2024 NFL draft, spent the offseason as a member of the Panthers.
A Greenwood, S.C. native, Pinckney split his six-year college career between Georgia State University and nearby Coastal Carolina University. His first four seasons were played for the former in Atlanta—where he amassed 113 receptions for 1,668 yards and 13 touchdowns over 33 games from 2018 to 2021.
Pinckney then moved back to his home state, joining the Chanticleers for what would be a highly-productive two-year tenure. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder recorded 143 catches for 2,023 yards and 11 scores between 2022 and 2023—earning All-Sun Belt Third-team honors in both campaigns.
His return to Charlotte comes after the news of the hamstring injury to veteran wideout Adam Thielen, who was placed on injured reserve yesterday. As a result, the Panthers promoted Pinckney’s fellow rookie Jalen Coker to the 53-man active roster.
Adam Thielen will miss some time with a hamstring injury. How will his absence affect a freshly-rejuvenated Panthers offense?
The vibes were pretty much immaculate for the Carolina Panthers this past Sunday—as they stunned the Las Vegas Raiders in an electric, feel-good 36-22 win. Heck, the recently-demoted Bryce Young even appeared to be having some fun from the bench.
But not all was well.
Nearly halfway through the Week 3 upset, quarterback Andy Dalton found wideout Adam Thielen for an absolute beauty of a 31-yard touchdown connection. The receiving end of the score, however, resulted in a hamstring injury for Thielen—one that will sideline the veteran for at least four weeks.
That, of course, isn’t great news—especially for an offense that has just come to life under their new starting quarterback. Even at 34 years old, Thielen is still a featured piece of Carolina’s puzzle.
So, what should we expect to see on offense in his absence?
Here’s what head coach Dave Canales had to say this summer about shaping the aerial attack around the former Pro Bowl wideout:
“As we build our offense, we really try to feature someone. And for us right now—where’s Diontae Johnson at? We have our progressions and we’re gonna move him around our formation. But the rest of the guys have to come alive as the coverage is dictated.”
Johnson himself has come alive after a deathly-quiet start—notching a career-high 122 receiving yards and a touchdown on eight grabs in Week 3. That performance saw him targeted a total of 14 times by Dalton, who was at his most decisive when looking Johnson’s way.
We saw a similar dynamic from Dalton’s lone start in 2023, when he found Thielen for 11 catches, 145 yards and a score on 14 targets against the Seattle Seahawks. Like Johnson, Thielen is seen as a go-to receiver by Dalton—which would’ve given Carolina two very safe and reliable options moving forward.
But now that there’s one, it’s up to Johnson to solidify his role as Dalton’s best bud.
It’s time for the youngsters to step up
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A certain first-round receiver was jonesing for some action recently. And well, he’s probably going to be getting it.
Rookie Xavier Legette will presumably step up into a more featured position. The explosive 6-foot-3, 227-pounder is already reaping the benefits under a new quarterback, as he ripped off a 35-yard catch-and-run from Dalton on Sunday.
He should be joined by Jonathan Mingo, who is looking to make some sort of positive statement after a disappointing rookie campaign in 2023. The next man up on the depth chart, Mingo should get more burn in the absence of Thielen.
Oh, and don’t overlook Jalen Coker either. The undrafted rookie, who has now been promoted to the active roster in Thielen’s absence, quickly caught Canales’ eye in the spring and went on to be Carolina’s leading receiver in the summer.
Who mans the slot?
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Thielen was deployed mostly out of the slot, where he saw 73.1 percent of his snaps. His 57 looks from the inside also lead the offense.
But who will take the reins on that spot now?
Canales might not be afraid to get creative. As the offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, he played the 6-foot-5, 231-pound Mike Evans out of the slot on 29.4 percent of his snaps—the fourth-highest mark of the future Hall of Famer’s 11-year career.
The highest shares from the slot, however, showed up with the speedsters. Trey Palmer and Deven Thompkins, whom the Panthers rostered this offseason, led the Bucs in slot deployment at 55.4 percent and 64.7 percent, respectively.
Carolina, however, doesn’t really have a speedy slot merchant. Outside of Johnson, Legette, Mingo and Coker, the only other wideout on the active roster is veteran David Moore.
So, yeah, creativity will likely have to come into play. And as of now, Mingo has seen the second-most looks out of the slot (30) through Week 3.
The Panthers made a bunch of moves on Tuesday, including placing both WR Adam Thielen and S Jordan Fuller on injured reserve.
The Carolina Panthers will now have to deal with a few losses following their first win of the 2024 campaign.
On Tuesday, the team placed wide receiver Adam Thielen on injured reserve. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was first with the news on Thielen, who is dealing with a “fairly significant” hamstring injury he sustained in Sunday’s 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Carolina also shelved safety Jordan Fuller, who has started all three games this season. The team did not disclose the nature of his injury in their official announcement.
Both Thielen and Fuller will now miss at least the next four weeks while on the injured reserve list.
The Panthers, in addition, parted ways with tight end Messiah Swinson—who was signed to the active roster on Sept. 3.
To patch up the departures, the Panthers promoted three players from their practice squad—wideout Jalen Coker and safeties Demani Richardson and Russ Yeast. Coker, an undrafted rookie out of the College of Holy Cross, led the Panthers in receiving yards (71) this preseason.
As a result of those promotions, Carolina signed cornerback Justin Hardee and safety Alex Cook to the practice squad while releasing second-year outside linebacker Eku Leota.
According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, the Panthers are planning to promote rookie WR Jalen Coker.
A cult favorite may be getting his chance.
Multiple reports from Tuesday afternoon revealed that the Carolina Panthers are placing wideout Adam Thielen on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. The setback—which was sustained on a 31-yard touchdown catch in Sunday’s 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders—is considered a “fairly significant” one, and could keep the 34-year-old veteran out for quite a few weeks.
So, who will take Thielen’s spot on the 53-man roster?
According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, it’ll be rookie receiver Jalen Coker. The 22-year-old, per Kaye, is expected to be promoted from the practice squad as a subsequent move to Thielen’s shelving.
Coker, a standout from the College of Holy Cross, was signed as an undrafted free agent by Carolina in the spring. He’d go on to be the leading pass catcher for the Panthers during the preseason—recording five grabs for 71 yards and a touchdown.
The team waived Coker during the cutdown to their initial 53-man roster at the end of August. He would, however, return as a member of the practice squad the following day.
The Panthers have officially assembled their initial 16-man practice squad for the 2024 season.
The Carolina Panthers have officially assembled their first 16-man practice squad for 2024.
Some faces you’ll recognize—such as quarterback Jack Plummer, running back Mike Boone, wide receiver Jalen Coker, linebacker Chandler Wooten and safety Alex Cook, who appeared in 10 games for the Panthers during the 2023 campaign.
And same faces you’ll have to get to know—such as offensive lineman Ja’Tyre Carter, linebackers Tarron Jackson and Thomas Inboom and cornerback Lonnie Johnson, who spent last season with the NFC South rival New Orleans Saints.
So, without further ado, here is Carolina’s initial practice squad on the year:
Jalen Coker appears to be right back with the Panthers.
It looks as though the Carolina Panthers won’t be losing an early fan favorite after all.
According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, rookie wideout Jalen Coker has cleared waivers and plans to sign with the Panthers’ practice squad. The 22-year-old was one of six players waived by the team on Wednesday.
Coker, a standout from the College of Holy Cross, first joined the Panthers as an undrafted free agent this spring. The talented 6-foot-3, 213-pound receiver, who was projected by many to be a Day 3 selection in the 2024 NFL draft, would quickly catch on as a cult favorite amongst the Carolina faithful.
He would also catch the eye of head coach Dave Canales, who provided an impressively lengthy evaluation of Coker during rookie minicamp.
“Size, instincts, top-of-route ability to separate,” Canales said of Coker back in May. “He’s really crafty in zones. He knows how to find the open spaces. Has a little cool run-after-catch, too. He can break some tackles because of the size that he brings. Attacks the ball at the high point. I mean, the guy really does have a cool skill set that he brings to us.”
As of Thursday morning, the Panthers officially announced the signings of 13 players to their practice squad.
The Panthers officially announced their claims for six players on Wednesday.
Yes, guys. It’s official. It’s confirmed. The deals are sealed.
Following yesterday’s cutdowns to this season’s initial 53-man rosters, the Carolina Panthers announced waiver claims for six players on Wednesday afternoon. The group features former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Keenan Isaac, former New York Jets cornerback Shemar Bartholomew, former Washington Commanders cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields, former Seattle Seahawks linebackers Jamie Sheriff and Jon Rhattigan and former San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Jarrett Kingston.
Carolina’s fresh trio of cornerbacks is headlined by Isaac, who had a standout preseason for the divisional rival Bucs. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound defensive back earned a 90.2 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus over his three exhibition outings on the summer.
To make room for the claims, the Panthers also announced the departures of six players from their initial 53-man roster—wide receivers Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Jalen Coker, offensive lineman Cade Mays, defensive lineman Jayden Peevy, cornerback D’Shawn Jamison and safety Demani Richardson.
The Panthers have reportedly waived CB D’Shawn Jamison and S Demani Richardson.
More roster casualties are on the way in Charlotte today.
According to Joe Person of The Athletic, the Carolina Panthers have waived a pair of defensive backs—cornerback D’Shawn Jamison and rookie safety Demani Richardson. The two will join wide receiver Jalen Coker, who has also reportedly been let go after making the team’s initial 53-man roster.
Jamison, ironically enough, first joined the Panthers as a waiver claim following last summer’s initial roster cutdown. Almost a year to the day—on Aug. 30, 2023—the University of Texas product was nabbed of waivers by Carolina alongside offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton and inside linebacker Claudin Cherelus.
The former San Francisco 49er played in 15 games for the Panthers in 2023. Jamison recorded 10 combined tackles and a pass deflection with one start.
He suited up for all three preseason games this summer, logging a total of 96 defensive snaps and three kickoff returns.
Richardson, in his preseason appearances, amassed eight total tackles and an interception.
The Panthers are reportedly set to waive fan favorite Jalen Coker.
The Carolina Panthers are certainly putting their top spot on the waiver wire to good use today. But unfortunately, the moves will come at a price.
According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, the Panthers are waiving wide receiver Jalen Coker. The undrafted rookie, a fan favorite over the spring and summer, was named to the team’s initial 53-man roster on Tuesday.
Coker signed with Carolina following the 2024 NFL draft. The Holy Cross standout apparently stood out quite early to head coach Dave Canales, who offered a rather extensive evaluation of the 6-foot-3, 213-pound pass catcher back in May.
“Size, instincts, top-of-route ability to separate,” Canales said when asked about Coker. “He’s really crafty in zones. He knows how to find the open spaces. Has a little cool run-after-catch, too. He can break some tackles because of the size that he brings. Attacks the ball at the high point. I mean, the guy really does have a cool skill set that he brings to us. So I’m excited to see him kinda get introduced as we start to develop out football, especially in Phase Three OTAs. Let’s see what he looks like against NFL talent. But I’m really excited about him.”
The 22-year-old recorded five receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown during preseason play.
If Coker clears waivers on Thursday, Canales and the Panthers could bring him back as a member of their practice squad.
Follow along as we track each of the Panthers’ additions to their initial 2024 practice squad
Yesterday wasn’t the only instance of heavy construction that we’ll see this week.
On Tuesday, NFL teams cut ties and made moves on over 1,000 players in shaping their initial 53-man rosters for the 2024 campaign. Some of those players will find their ways back on to other active rosters and even more will return to a locker room as practice-squad players.
As soon as the activity on Wednesday’s waiver wire is through, those who are not claimed can be signed to practice squads—often a 16-man group used as depth for practice sessions, scout work and emergency game situations.
Now, there’s little question as to if the Carolina Panthers and general manager Dan Morgan will be busy today. Morgan, on a few occasions, hasn’t been shy to flex the advantage of having the league’s very top spot on the waiver wire.
But when that work is through, we’ll need to shift our focus right to the taxi squad.
So, keep it here as we track each of the team’s additions to their initial practice squad for 2024 . . .
