Why the Panthers are invested in Omar Bayless — and which WRs will make the roster
Coming into training camp, the Panthers’ wide receiver room was easily one of the strongest and most well-rounded positions on the roster.
In addition to last year’s starters D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel, the team added Robby Anderson, Keith Kirkwood, Seth Roberts and former Pro Bowl returner Pharoh Cooper.
Backup receiver from last year Brandon Zylstra remained on the roster, and the team also addressed the position by adding a number of undrafted players, including most notably Omar Bayless from Arkansas State. But injuries have taken a toll on the receivers during camp. Kirkwood had surgery on a broken clavicle, Roberts is returning from concussion protocol and Bayless is out for the year.
Bayless was atop the FBS receiving leaderboard last year and set multiple school and Sun Belt conference records after a tumultuous college career. At training camp, Bayless, 23, became one of early stars, but he only appeared in practices open to the media twice, and only once in pads. He became the team’s receiver to watch in extremely limited action, brought upon more by hype than the number of plays he made on the field. Rookie safety Jeremy Chinn said he was one of the receivers that has caught his eye.
Then his knee swelled up overnight, a re-aggravation of an old injury, and the decision was made to get arthroscopic surgery. The surgery was performed Tuesday, with no structural damage found and a short recovery time expected.
The coaching staff does think highly of him with head coach Matt Rhule commenting on his potential after his first day out.
“He’s had a really good camp. He’s someone that I think has chance to help us this year and certainly in the future,” Rhule said.
Bayless and Carolina will have to wait for that future. The Panthers placed Bayless on injured reserve Wednesday, ending his season. He’ll have a redshirt year as rookie. The team electing to not waive the wide receiver, but instead keep him around to grow and learn shows a potential desire to have him be a part of the future.
“He’s a big, powerful guy, he’s got a great catch radius but, most importantly, he’s just really coachable, he works hard, he attacks the ball,” Rhule said of Bayless earlier this month. “He’s developing, he’s learning his role, but he’s someone that you want to work with.”
Bayless was performing well on special teams, in addition to working on improving as a receiver. With Rhule stating that the team will keep six or seven receivers on the roster, making the final 53 would have been a challenge either way due to the competition at the position. The expanded practice squad (16 players) may have been more likely. Now he’ll have a year to rehab and learn.
Who makes the roster?
The Panthers also brought in Darrell Stewart Jr., a former Michigan State receiver, and Cam Phillips, one of quarterback P.J. Walker’s favorite targets in the XFL, this week. Where does the wide receiver room stand now?
Locks: DJ Moore, Robby Anderson, Curtis Samuel, Pharoh Cooper.
Most likely: Keith Kirkwood (Panthers have kept him on the roster despite missing a few weeks), Seth Roberts.
Potentially battling for the last spot: Brandon Zylstra, Ishmael Hyman.
Most likely to be designated to practice squad/waived: Darrell Stewart Jr., Cam Phillips, Marken Michel, Tommylee Lewis.
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This story was originally published August 28, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
