Panthers sign WR Michael Strachan to active roster

Following Laviska Shenault‘s move to IR this week, the Carolina Panthers signed wide receiver Michael Strachan to the active roster from the practice squad. The former Charleston standout is in his first year with Carolina after spending two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

This season, Strachan’s posted one catch for a gain of 45 yards. Last year, with the Colts, he had three catches for 59 yards in 13 appearances. His big catch this season came in the game against the Chicago Bears.

The Colts drafted Strachan with the first pick in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft. At Charleston, he broke the team’s single-season touchdown receptions record with 19 in 2019. He had 78 receptions for 1,319 yards that season.

Carolina made the decision to fire Frank Reich following the latest loss to the Titans last week. On Sunday, they’ll take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under the leadership of offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, who will take over play-calling duties.

Carolina Panthers move wide receiver Laviska Shenault to IR

The Carolina Panthers opted to move wide receiver Laviska Shenault to the Injured Reserve this week due to the ankle injury he suffered in the loss against the Titans on Sunday. Shenault had one reception for eight yards before exiting the game. The wideout is the 12th player for the Panthers to go on IR this season. On Wednesday, the Panthers moved rookie offensive lineman Chandler Zavala to IR as well. In a corresponding move, they signed veteran guard Gabe Jackson to the practice squad.

Shenault had 10 catches so far this season for a total of 60 yards and no touchdowns. He also had 12 carries for 55 yards. The fourth-year wideout wasn’t having a banner year for the 1-10 squad prior to his injury and now, he’ll have to sit out at least four weeks, if not more.

Last season, his first with the Panthers, he had 27 catches for 272 yards in 13 games. Carolina acquired him in the 2022 offseason from the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2024 sixth-rounder and 2023 seventh-round pick, which the Jaguars used to draft offensive lineman Cooper Hodges.

During his two seasons in Jacksonville, Shenault had 121 catches for 1,219 yards and five touchdowns. The Jaguars drafted him with the No. 42 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Colorado.