Just like every NFL team, the Carolina Panthers had to overcome injuries and adversity during the 2025 regular season. They are one of the final fourteen teams, with a division championship granting them a home playoff game. Now, the Panthers face additional roster decisions this week. On Tuesday, those decisions began to take shape and may set the stage for more moves.
Panthers Activate WR From IR, Waive Veteran WR and Depth DB
On Monday, Panthers’ head coach Dave Canales was asked about the status of two players who have been on injured reserve but could, in theory, make a triumphant return for the postseason. Canales told reporters:
“Physically speaking, [Hunt and Moore are] really close. But there’s a larger conversation that goes with the roster. Whenever you bring a player off of IR, somebody’s got to go down. And so those are the larger conversations that we’re also continuing to work through.”
Those conversations must’ve made significant progress overnight. Carolina activated wide receiver David Moore (elbow) from IR on Tuesday morning. To make room for Moore before Saturday’s Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Panthers waived veteran WR Hunter Renfrow and second-year UDFA safety Demani Richardson.
Renfrow was a fan favorite, having played college football at Clemson University — where the Panthers’ franchise played its inaugural season’s home games at the Tigers’ Memorial “Death Valley” Stadium. However, once Jalen Coker (No. 28-ranked WR per PFSN’s NFL WR Impact Metric) and Xavier Legette returned to the lineup healthy, Renfrow’s lack of special teams contribution made him more dispensable to the receiver rotation.
Richardson was expected to play a larger role on defense this season after showing promise in the 2024 regular season. In hindsight, those snaps seem to have been out of necessity. The staff may not have shared the fans’ vision for Richardson. The former Texas A&M player appeared in only one game this season. Rookie safety Lathan Ransom’s addition and versatility made Richardson’s path to playing time harder. He could return to the practice squad if unclaimed on waivers.
I’m not a scientist, but by my math, the Carolina Panthers have opened two spots on the game-day roster but have only filled one so far. One spot remains open on the active roster for the Panthers’ first postseason game since 2016.
Right guard Robert Hunt (biceps) is still on IR. He had been practicing in the weeks leading up to Week 18. On Tuesday, Carolina also designated reserve offensive lineman Chandler Zavala for return to practice, marking the start of his 21-day window to be activated.
Canales gave an update about Hunt on Monday, proclaiming, “It’s a big week — a big week of evaluating Rob [Hunt] and seeing if he’s physically ready to take on the game.” Hunt is recovering from a torn bicep and undergoing post-surgery rehabilitation. Canales also added, “He’s ready mentally to go. Physically, that’s really the question we need to figure out this week.”