Panthers elevate wide receiver, safety from practice squad for matchup vs. 49ers
The Carolina Panthers made a pair of roster moves ahead of Sunday’s Week 5 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Safety Marquise Blair and wide receiver Derek Wright received standard elevations to the game-day roster on Saturday, the team announced. With wideout Laviska Shenault (hamstring) ruled out and safety Xaiver Woods (hamstring) listed as questionable for the matchup against the 49ers, Wright and Blair will fill out the depth chart as insurance.
Blair was elevated to the game-day roster last week, as well. Following this weekend’s elevation, Blair will have one left before he subject to waivers. The former second-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks could have a bigger role this weekend with starter Jeremy Chinn (hamstring) on injured reserve.
If Woods can’t play, the Panthers will probably use Juston Burris, Myles Hartsfield and Sean Chandler as a three-man rotation at the safety spot. Blair and special teams ace Sam Franklin would serve as deep depth options behind that trio.
Wright, a rookie from Utah State, could fill a void on special teams. While running back Raheem Blackshear could be active for the first time on Sunday and take over for Shenault as kick returner, Wright could also get some work in the game’s third phase. Wright could also contribute behind Robbie Anderson, DJ Moore, Terrace Marshall Jr. and Shi Smith at wide receiver. Marshall, according to head coach Matt Rhule, will be active for the first time in three weeks.
Wright produced 789 yards and 11 touchdowns during his final year at Utah State. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound receiver spent the entire offseason with the Panthers and joined the practice squad after being waived during final cuts. Following this weekend, Wright will have two standard elevations available before he is subject to waivers.
On Friday, the Panthers listed Woods, linebacker Frankie Luvu (shoulder) and defensive end Marquis Haynes (knee) as questionable. Rhule said Friday that he expects Haynes to play.
Along with Shenault, cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver (thigh) and tight end Stephen Sullivan (back) were ruled out.
