Panthers place WR Jonathan Mingo on injured reserve, rookie season over

The Carolina Panthers (2-14) placed receiver Jonathan Mingo on injured reserve Tuesday, effectively ending his rookie campaign.

Mingo, the second-round selection out of Ole Miss, has been hampered by a foot injury. He battled through it Sunday, playing 53-of-54 snaps in the 26-0 Week 17 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7). Mingo finishes his rookie season with 43 receptions for 418 yards in 15 games this season. He failed to record a touchdown. Mingo’s 85 targets are second among Carolina pass-catchers, trailing only Adam Thielen (134).

In a corresponding move, the Panthers signed guard J.D. DiRenzo to their active roster from their practice squad. Carolina also signed veteran running back Mike Boone to the practice squad. Boone played in nine games for the Houston Texans (9-7) this season after previous stints with the Minnesota Vikings (7-9) and Denver Broncos (8-8).

The Panthers will have a chance to play spoiler this Sunday, taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) in the season finale. If the Buccaneers win, they will be crowned NFC South champions. A Panthers win, however, and Tampa Bay will be eliminated from playoff contention.

Panthers LB Marquis Haynes returns home from hospital after concussion vs. Jaguars

Panthers linebacker Marquis Haynes returned to Charlotte Monday after staying overnight in a Jacksonville hospital.

Haynes, 30, didn’t travel back with the team Sunday after suffering a concussion during the third quarter of the loss to the Jaguars. He stayed at the Baptist Medical Center for observation before being discharged Monday afternoon.

Haynes, making just his seventh appearance this season, was unable to return to his feet after suffering the concussion and had to be carted off the field. Haynes has dealt with injuries all season, spending time on injured reserve with a back injury. The sixth-year pro has tallied 16 tackles (13 solo), three tackles for loss and one sack this season.

“Any time one of your brothers go down, it’s always a scary moment,” teammate Brian Burns said. “You always send a prayer in the air, you know, trying to keep them covered. There’s times I tell him like, man, be smart. Because it’s bigger than football. You got kids, and you want to be able to play with them after your career is said and done. So, you don’t want any major injuries to hinder that. So, I just always tell him be smart.

“But he’s definitely a team player. He’s out there banged up. A lot of guys are banged up, but you know, his injury is a little more complicated than most.”