The Carolina Panthers, despite a dismal season with no clear path to the playoffs, are still actively tweaking their roster. On Wednesday, the team signed wide receiver and special teams standout Dan Chisena to their practice squad, adding speed and depth to their lineup.
Chisena, known for his blistering 4.32 40-yard dash time, has bounced around the NFL since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020. A former Penn State Nittany Lion, Chisena initially caught the attention of the Minnesota Vikings, where he carved out a role on special teams, making appearances in 25 games during the 2020 and 2021 seasons under then-head coach Mike Zimmer.
Since then, Chisena has journeyed through multiple teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, and Vikings again, before landing with the Panthers in 2024. While his offensive contributions have been limited, his elite speed has made him a valuable asset on special teams, where he’s logged significant snaps throughout his career.
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reported the Panthers’ latest roster moves, which include Chisena’s signing and the designation of rookie running back Jonathon Brooks to return from the non-football injury list. Additionally, safety Sam Franklin Jr. and defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy have been cleared to return from injured reserve.
With Chisena now on the practice squad, the Panthers’ wide receiver corps consists of Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, David Moore, and Jalen Coker, with Adam Thielen sidelined on injured reserve. Chisena will look to earn a spot on special teams while providing additional depth in the receiving unit.
The Panthers, currently sitting at a disappointing 4% chance of making the postseason, per DVOA, are hoping that Chisena’s speed and versatility can bring some much-needed spark to their special teams unit and potentially more as they continue their rebuilding efforts.
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