Tag: Laviska Shenault Jr.

PFF reveals Colorado’s highest-graded player since 2014

PFF revealed the highest-graded Buff of the past 10 years

While Colorado’s current roster may be its most talented in several years, the Buffs’ highest-graded player in the Pro Football Focus College era (post-2014) is a late-2010s standout.

On Monday, PFF College revealed each Big 12 team’s highest-graded player in the last 10 years, and wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. represented Colorado with a 92.0 rating.

Shenault spent three seasons in Boulder (2017-19) before becoming a second-round NFL draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Playing alongside former Buffs quarterback Steven Montez, Shenault finished his college career with 149 receptions for 1,943 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also managed seven career rushing scores and had a 55-yard punt return TD during his freshman campaign.

After two seasons with the Jaguars and another two with the Carolina Panthers, Shenault signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks in April.

Former Houston Cougars defensive tackle Ed Oliver was the highest-graded player on PFF College’s list, earning an impressive career mark of 94.9.

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Seahawks signing former Panthers WR Laviska Shenault Jr.

Former Panthers WR Laviska Shenault Jr. is about to become a Seahawk.

Laviska Shenault Jr. is headed back out west.

As first reported by NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo on Tuesday afternoon, the Seattle Seahawks are signing the former Carolina Panthers wide receiver. The move, per Garafolo, was confirmed by the 25-year-old’s agency, GSE Worldwide.

Shenault Jr. was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He came into the pros after spending three years at the University of Colorado Boulder—where he earned a first-team All-Pac-12 nod in 2018 and a second-team All-Pac-12 nod in 2019.

Unfortunately for the 42nd overall pick, he would not last long in Jacksonville. He stuck around for 2020 and 2021—recording 121 catches for 1,219 yard and five touchdowns.

The Jaguars went on to trade Shenault Jr. to the Panthers on Aug. 29, 2022. Carolina, in exchange, sent over a 2023 seventh-round pick and a 2024 sixth-round pick.

He’d last just as long for the Panthers—amassing 37 receptions for 332 yards and one touchdown, as well as a 41-yard rushing score, between 2022 and 2023.

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Panthers WR Diontae Johnson hints at new uniform number?

New Panthers WR Diontae Johnson may have a new uniform number in 2024.

Diontae Johnson may be starting completely fresh in 2024.

After spending the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 27-year-old wideout was traded to the Carolina Panthers at the start of free agency. And after spending each of those five seasons wearing the No. 18, he may be switching it up in his new threads . . .

This would be the first time that Johnson dons the No. 5 uniform—at least on a big stage. He wore No. 3 at Earl J. Lennard High School in his hometown of Ruskin, Fla. and then No. 19 and No. 3 during his time at the University of Toledo—where he was a two-time first-team All-MAC selection.

The head coach who helped pluck Johnson out of Toledo spoke to reporters about his now-former receiver from the Annual League Meeting on Monday.

“You’re gettin’ an awesome route runner, a guy that can create separation at the top of routes, a guy that’s tough to stay with,” Mike Tomlin said of Johnson’s move to Carolina. “He can win in non-vertical route-running and vertical route-running. So you get a guy with a complete skill set in that regard and I just think he’s gonna be a big asset to ’em.”

As far as who Johnson would be taking over for, the No. 5 was last worn by free agent Laviska Shenault Jr. this past season.

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Full list of 2024 Panthers free agents

The Panthers currently have 26 players slated for free agency in 2024.

Things have changed a bit since the last time we brought you this free agent list.

A few weeks back, the Carolina Panthers held on to a few of their own—re-signing tight end Stephen Sullivan and defensive linemen Nick Thurman LaBryan Ray to fresh deals.

So, let’s take an updated look at the team’s pending 2024 free agents.

Will Ihmir Smith-Marsette continue to have an expanded role on offense?

Panthers interim HC Chris Tabor spoke about WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette’s expanding role on offense.

The Carolina Panthers may have themselves a new full-time gadget.

A good amount of time this past summer was spent on finding a sweet spot for wideout Laviska Shenault Jr., who possesses the tools to be a two-fold threat on offense. But after an injury-plagued season phased him out of their plans, the Panthers may have found a similar type of spark in fellow receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

Smith-Marsette provided some spice for Carolina in their 9-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Aside from his usual work on special teams, he squeezed in four rushing attempts for a total of 31 yards.

On Monday, interim head coach Chris Tabor was asked what Smith-Marsette meant to the team in their second victory of the campaign.

“I think he’s a player that kinda keeps growin’,” he said. “His role is beginning to expand on offense, which I’m excited to see. I just think whatever opportunity he gets, he’ll take advantage of. And that’s kinda where he’s at right now.

“He’s doin’ a nice job with regards to making good decisions in the punt return game. We got him on some jet sweeps—and then the motion and then throwin’ it out to him out there kinda turned into a punt return play for him. And I thought the offense did a good job of utilizing his skill set.”

Whether it was under the play-calling of former head coach Frank Reich or offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, the Panthers offense has proven to be a tad stale throughout this rough campaign. Heck, they’re still without a touchdown over their last eight quarters.

But perhaps these last three weeks will give them, and Smith-Marsette, a chance to experiment.

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Panthers place Laviska Shenault Jr. on injured reserve

The Panthers have placed WR Laviska Shenault Jr. on injured reserve.

Move over Austin Corbett . . . and Brady Christensen . . . and Shaq Thompson . . . and Justin Houston . . . and, you get the point.

The Carolina Panthers announced on Thursday morning that they have placed receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. on injured reserve. He is now the 12th player currently on IR for the Panthers, who have also designated six others for their returns.

Shenault Jr. will now miss at least the next four games due to an ankle injury, one he sustained after taking just two offensive snaps in this past Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans. The fourth-year wideout was also sidelined for three outings with another ankle injury that popped up in the Week 6 visit to see the Miami Dolphins.

Through eight contests in 2023, Shenault Jr. has recorded 10 receptions for 60 yards along with 12 rushes for another 55 yards. He has, additionally, returned six kickoffs at an average of 27.8 yards per attempt.

The former second-round pick is now the second player in as many days to hit the shelf for Carolina, as guard Chandler Zavala had his rookie campaign cut short yesterday.

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Panthers Week 10 injury report: 4 players ruled out vs. Bears

The Panthers have ruled out four players from their Week 10 clash with the Bears, including OLB Brian Burns and CB CJ Henderson.

As expected, the Carolina Panthers won’t have two more key defenders for their latest outing.

Those two players are outside linebacker Brian Burns and cornerback CJ Henderson, both of whom left this past Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts due to concussions. Head coach Frank Reich unofficially ruled out the duo on Tuesday.

Joining them will be wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (ankle) and tight end Stephen Sullivan (shoulder). Fellow pass catcher DJ Chark may be on the sideline as well, as he’s been listed as doubtful with an elbow injury.

Here’s the team’s final injury report a day ahead of their Week 10 matchup against the Chicago Bears:

Injury Monday Tuesday Wednesday Game status
OLB Brian Burns Concussion/elbow DNP DNP DNP Out
WR DJ Chark  Elbow DNP DNP DNP Doubtful
CB CJ Henderson Concussion DNP DNP DNP Out
WR Laviska Shenault Jr. Ankle DNP DNP DNP Out
TE Stephen Sullivan Shoulder DNP DNP DNP Out
S Xavier Woods Thigh DNP DNP Limited Questionable
S Vonn Bell Quadriceps Full Full Full Questionable
RB Raheem Blackshear Ankle Full Full Full –
LT Ikem Ekwonu Ankle Full Full Full –
OLB Marquis Haynes Sr. Back Full Full Full Questionable
LB Frankie Luvu Hip Full Full Full –
TE Tommy Tremble Shoulder Full Full Full –

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Panthers Week 9 injury report: 3 players ruled out vs. Colts

The Panthers have ruled out three players from Sunday’s contest against the Colts, including OLB Justin Houston and WR Laviska Shenault Jr.

The Carolina Panthers will be even thinner at outside linebacker in Week 9.

Four-time Pro Bowler Justin Houston has been ruled out of Sunday’s contest against the Indianapolis Colts due to a hamstring injury. The 34-year-old, who sustained the setback in last weekend’s 15-13 win over the Houston Texans, has played in approximately 41 percent of the defense’s snaps this season—having recorded nine combined tackles and half a sack.

With Brian Burns still dealing with a hyperextended elbow and Yetur Gross-Matos currently on injured reserve due to a hamstring issue of his own, the Panthers will have to dig into their depth at the position once again. Burns, who is a go, could be joined by Amaré Barno as well as rookies DJ Johnson and Eku Leota.

The Panthers, who won’t have wideout Laviska Shenault Jr. or linebacker Claudin Cherelus either, are also likely to be without safety Vonn Bell—who is listed as doubtful. Bell missed the last two games due to a quadriceps injury.

Here’s the final Week 9 injury report:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
WR DJ Chark  Elbow DNP Limited Limited Questionable
LB Clauin Cherelus Knee DNP DNP DNP Out
CB Troy Hill Illness DNP Full Full –
OLB Justin Houston Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out
TE Hayden Hurst Illness DNP Full Full –
OT Taylor Moton Knee/rest DNP Limited Full –
WR Laviska Shenault Jr. Ankle DNP DNP DNP Out
WR Adam Thielen Rest DNP – – –
S Vonn Bell Quadriceps Limited Limited Limited Doubtful
OLB Brian Burns Elbow Limited Limited Full –
G Austin Corbett Knee Limited Limited Full –
LB Frankie Luvu Hip Limited Limited Full –
LB Chandler Wooten Hamstring Limited Limited Full –
RB Raheem Blackshear Groin Limited Full Full –
S Xavier Woods Abdomen – Limited Full –
G Cade Mays Ankle – Full Full –
CB Donte Jackson Quadriceps – – Full Questionable
S Alex Cook Shoulder – – Full –
RB Miles Sanders Calf – – Full –

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