CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Carolina Panthers announced on Saturday their plans to bring back Hunter Renfrow, less than a week after releasing him.
According to a league source, this is a one-year contract.
Renfrow will take the spot on the roster of Jalen Coker, who was placed on the injured reserve list due to a quadriceps injury suffered in Thursday’s practice. Coker is expected to miss the first four to six games. Initially, Coker was considered the first replacement for veteran Adam Thielen, who was traded to the Minnesota Vikings last week.
Renfrow returns after missing the 2024 season after being released by the Las Vegas Raiders, following a 2023 season in which his production declined significantly while dealing with ulcerative colitis.
The Panthers stayed in constant contact with Renfrow after releasing him, initially hoping to sign him to the practice squad while he recovered 100% after a hamstring injury during training camp that hampered his return. Coach Dave Canales said Wednesday that he didn’t believe Renfrow was back in the form he showed at the beginning of training camp when explaining the decision to cut him. But both Canales and general manager Dan Morgan repeatedly told Renfrow they wanted him to be part of the organization. Coker’s injury accelerated the process. He will miss at least the first four games after going on the injured list. “He has amazing lateral speed,” offensive coordinator Brad Idzik recently said of Coker. “And then when he opens up, he takes big strides, the first four steps are powerful, which simulates: ‘I’m going full vertical speed.’ He simulates that every time and then takes advantage of any advantage you give him.”I felt so bad those two years, and I felt like I disappointed my teammates a lot.
Hunter Renfrow
