Tag: Mike Strachan

Panthers HC Dave Canales speaks on team’s WR, TE competitions

Panthers HC Dave Canales went into some great detail about the developments at the WR and TE positions.

The Carolina Panthers haven’t had the most productive pass catchers in the NFL of late. But perhaps a new offense and a little competition will change that.

First-year head coach Dave Canales spoke with reporters after Wednesday’s session of mandatory minicamp. And as the team heads into a summer break before training camp, Joe Person of The Athletic asked if any competitions have been catching his eye.

“Shoot, I mean, I can’t really speak about one position without speaking about all of them, Joe, honestly,” Canales replied. “Start with the offense—I love the versatility and the players that we have in the tight end room. I think that we have a really strong group there. And so I see a group that they’re all gonna be pushing to see who those guys are.

“And Tommy [Tremble], Ian [Thomas] had a fantastic spring. Ja’Tavion [Sanders] showed that he can play football while he’s still learning stuff about our offense. He wants to know, he’s focused and locked in. Sully, Stephen Sullivan, the talent that he brings, how he can stretch the field, the length that he plays with. And even a guy like Jordan Matthews who understands how critical special teams is—for him to show he can be a reliable player there and then to do some things on offense too that we like.”

The Panthers haven’t seen much out of the tight end spot since the days of franchise great Greg Olsen. Over the past three seasons, all players at the spot have combined for 1,530 yards and eight touchdowns on 154 receptions.

Canales would then touch on the wideouts.

“At the receiver position, we have a bunch of guys that have been here for a while that are so hungry,” he added. “[Adam] Thielen was here, but Terrace Marshall, who’s had a fantastic last couple of weeks. Michael Strachan got back out there and he’s big and fast, just showing what he can do there. Ihmir Smith-Marsette makes a great play every day.

“Of course, having Diontae [Johnson] out there—he brings another element. He’s special. He knows how to play the game. He’s fast, he gets it, he’s a change-of-pace, a little bit different from the guys we have. Xavier [Legette], we gotta get him back out there so we can work him through that. But another good, solid group of guys that are executing what we want them to.”

Following a season full of separation problems, the Panthers added two very intriguing receivers—former Pro Bowler Diontae Johnson and 2024’s 32nd overall pick Xavier Legette. Legette, however, has remained sidelined for much of the spring due to a hamstring injury.

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Panthers Week 15 inactives: 2 WRs down as healthy scratches vs. Falcons

The Panthers are heading into their Week 15 matchup against the Falcons with just four active wide receivers.

With the rainy and windy forecast now proven to be correct, the Carolina Panthers are preparing to be grounded.

Wideouts Terrace Marshall Jr. and Mike Strachan have been ruled out as healthy scratches for today’s potentially sloppy matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. That’ll leave the Panthers with just four receivers at their disposal—Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, Jonathan Mingo and Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

Marshall Jr. will be inactive for the fifth straight game. The former second-round pick has amassed 18 receptions for 134 yards in his third NFL season.

Carolina, also in anticipation of a run-heavy approach, called up guards Gabe Jackson and J.D. DiRenzo from their practice squad yesterday afternoon. Both are standard elevations.

Here’s the full list of inactives for the Panthers this afternoon:

  • CB D’Shawn Jamison
  • OLB Eku Leota
  • WR Terrace Marshall Jr.
  • OT David Sharpe
  • WR Mike Strachan
  • TE Ian Thomas

And as for the visiting Falcons:

  • OLB Bud Dupree
  • TE John FitzPatrick
  • WR Mack Hollins
  • OL Chris Lindstrom
  • OL Kaleb McGary
  • DL David Onyemata
  • QB Logan Woodside (emergency third QB)

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Panthers sign Mike Strachan to active roster, waive David Long Jr.

The Panthers have signed WR Mike Strachan to their active roster.

With their cornerback position finally growing a bit stronger, the Carolina Panthers were able to make room for a big-bodied pass catcher on Friday.

As first reported by Darin Gantt of Panthers.com this afternoon, the team has signed wideout Mike Strachan to the active roster. Carolina, in a corresponding move, waived cornerback David Long Jr.

Strachan, who was familiar with former head coach Frank Reich from their days in Indianapolis, signed to the practice squad back on Sept. 13. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound receiver has appeared in two games.

His pair of outings produced one reception—a 45-yard connection with rookie quarterback Bryce Young in Week 10 against the Chicago Bears. Strachan has recorded 21 snaps on offense thus far.

Long Jr., who was claimed off waivers from the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 3, appeared in three games for the Panthers this season. He played 49 defensive snaps in the Week 12 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Along with their addition of former Pro Bowl corner Shaquill Griffin on Thursday, Carolina also seems closer to getting back both CJ Henderson and Jaycee Horn from injury.

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Panthers roster heading into Week 11 vs. Cowboys

TE Ian Thomas is back in the fold for the Panthers ahead of their Week 11 clash with the Cowboys.

The Carolina Panthers made two additions to their roster before Sunday’s clash against the Dallas Cowboys, as they activated tight end Ian Thomas from injured reserve and elevated wide receiver Mike Strachan from their practice squad.

Here’s what the team looks like heading into Sunday:

Panthers activate Ian Thomas from IR, elevate WR Mike Strachan for Week 11

The Panthers have activated TE Ian Thomas from IR and elevated WR Mike Strachan from the practice squad ahead of their Week 11 matchup.

The Carolina Panthers won’t have tight end Hayden Hurst against the Dallas Cowboys tomorrow, but they will be getting back some help at the position.

As announced on Saturday afternoon, the team has activated Ian Thomas from injured reserve. The sixth-year tight end, who missed the last four games due to a calf strain, was designated to return from the shelf earlier this week.

Thomas will now rejoin the depth chart alongside Tommy Tremble and Stephen Sullivan. He has recorded two receptions for 36 yards over four targets this season.

Carolina also elevated wide receiver Mike Strachan from their practice squad for the Week 11 matchup. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound pass catcher reeled in a 45-yard reception in the Week 10 loss to the Chicago Bears.

In addition to Hurst, who is currently in concussion protocol, the Panthers have already ruled out outside linebacker Marquis Haynes Sr. (back) and cornerbacks CJ Henderson (concussion) and Jaycee Horn (hamstring).

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Best and worst PFF grades from Panthers’ Week 10 loss to Bears

CB Donte Jackson recorded the Panthers’ highest single-game PFF grade of the season in Thursday night’s loss to the Bears.

Is there a bright side to the Carolina Panthers’ most embarrassing loss of the season? Well, if you’re into Pro Football Focus grades, especially for cornerbacks, then you’ll find some much-needed sunshine today.

Here are the team’s best and worst marks from the 16-13 defeat to the Chicago Bears:

DJ Chark inactive for Week 10 vs. Bears

Panthers WR DJ Chark, who was listed as doubtful for Week 10 with an elbow injury, is officially inactive tonight.

The Carolina Panthers knew their latest wave of injuries was going to leave them without at least four players in Week 10—outside linebacker Brian Burns, cornerback CJ Henderson, wideout Laviska Shenault Jr. and tight end Stephen Sullivan. And, as expected, they’ve added a fifth.

Receiver DJ Chark is officially inactive for tonight’s matchup against the Chicago Bears. Chark was listed as doubtful on yesterday’s final injury report with an elbow issue.

For insurance measures at the position, the Panthers have elevated Mike Strachan from the practice squad. Strachan, a former Indianapolis Colt under head coach Frank Reich, was signed back on Sept. 13.

Carolina has also padded their roster with two outside linebackers. Marquis Haynes Sr., who missed the first eight games due to a back injury, has been activated while Eku Leota is up for his third straight elevation.

Here’s the full list of inactives for the Panthers:

  • OLB Brian Burns
  • WR DJ Chark
  • CB CJ Henderson
  • G Nash Jensen
  • WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
  • TE Stephen Sullivan

And here’s who’s out for the Bears:

  • FB Khari Blasingame
  • OL Nate Davis
  • QB Justin Fields
  • LB Tremaine Edmunds
  • WR Velus Jones Jr.
  • DL Dominique Robinson
  • DB Terell Smith

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Panthers roster heading into Week 10 vs. Bears

Carolina Panthers roster for Thursday night’s matchup with the Bears

The Carolina Panthers called up some help ahead of their Thursday night showdown against the Chicago Bears.

Heading that charge is outside linebacker Marquis Haynes Sr., who was activated after finally being designated to return from injured reserve earlier this week. He’ll be joined by fellow backer Eku Leota and wideout Mike Strachan, both of whom were elevated from the practice squad.

So, let’s take a look at who the Panthers will have at their disposal in Week 10:

Panthers elevate 2 players for Week 10 matchup with Bears

The Panthers have elevated OLB Eku Leota and WR Mike Strachan from the practice squad for tonight’s game against the Bears.

Marquis Haynes Sr. isn’t the only reinforcement the Carolina Panthers are calling on for tonight.

As announced by the team just a few hours ahead of their Week 10 showdown with the Chicago Bears, outside linebacker Eku Leota and wide receiver Mike Strachan have been elevated from the practice squad. Both are standard elevations.

Thursday will mark the third elevation for Leota, who must either be signed to the active roster or waived prior to Week 11. The undrafted rookie has played in 12 defensive snaps over the last two games.

With the likes of Brian Burns, Justin Houston and Yetur-Gross Matos all out for this one, Leota may get more looks from the outside linebacker position. He totaled 15.5 sacks over four years of collegiate ball between Northwestern and Auburn.

Strachan will bring some depth to the wideout spot with the expected absence of DJ Chark, who has been listed as doubtful due to an elbow injury. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder, who previously spent time with head coach Frank Reich in Indianapolis, was signed to the team’s practice squad back on Sept. 13.

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Mike Strachan signed with Panthers practice squad

Mike Strachan reunites with Frank Reich on the Panthers practice squad.

Former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Mike Strachan signed with the Carolina Panthers practice squad Wednesday, per his agent David Canter.

Strachan was released from the Colts practice squad Tuesday in order to make room for the three new additions. The former seventh-round pick in Strachan always had potential but never seemed to find his way into a role on the active roster.

The 6-foot-5, 224-pound receiver appeared in 19 games (no starts), recording five receptions on 12 targets for 85 receiving yards and no touchdowns. He failed to make the active roster following the 2023 preseason and spent Week 1 on the practice squad before he was released.

Strachan now reunites with former Colts and current Panthers head coach Frank Reich, who was leading Indy when Strachan was drafted in 2021.

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