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Carolina Panthers wide receiver David Gettis is on the active roster for the first time in a season and a half, although his promotion came at a cost.
Gettis was activated after second-year receiver/kick returner Kealoha Pilares was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, two days after injuring his shoulder during a second-half kickoff return at Washington.
Panthers interim general manager Brandon Beane said Pilares will require season-ending shoulder surgery. Pilares averaged 24.0 yards on nine returns after replacing rookie Joe Adams, who was benched after fumbling twice against the Giants in Week 3.
Adams could reclaim his job, unless coach Ron Rivera decides to go with Gettis or Armanti Edwards.
Gettis, a sixth-round pick in 2010, played in 15 games as a rookie, including 13 starts. The former track standout at Baylor caught 37 passes for 508 yards and three touchdowns in 2010 and gives the Panthers another deep threat.
Gettis tore his ACL at training camp last year, and began this season on the physically unable to perform list with a hamstring injury. The Panthers had until Tuesday to activate Gettis or he would have missed the rest of the season.
• In other moves Tuesday, the Panthers signed center Thomas Austin to their practice squad a few days after waiving the former Clemson standout from the active roster. Linebacker Jerry Franklin was released from the practice squad.
