Panthers WR Damiere Byrd suffers 'significant' injury in training camp

After finding his way back to the Carolina Panthers this offseason, wide receiver Damiere Byrd has reportedly suffered a “significant” injury in training camp ahead of the first preseason game versus the Jets on Saturday.

Byrd suffered a hamstring injury and though his exact return timeline is unclear, Panthers head coach Frank Reich told reports that he could be out for a month or more, according to Alex Zietlow.

Entering this offseason as a free agent, the former South Carolina standout signed with the Panthers for one year and $1.3 million.

Byrd initially signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers in 2015, where he spent his first three seasons. With the Cardinals, he got his first big break, catching 32 passes for 359 yards.

Byrd played the 2022 season with the Atlanta Falcons. He had 13 catches in 14 games played, totaling 268 yards and two touchdowns.

Since leaving the Gamecocks, Byrd has played for the Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots and Chicago Bears. After a career-best year with the Patriots, when he totaled 47 catches for 604 yards and a score, he took a one-year deal with the Bears.

With Chicago, he finished fourth on the team in receiving yards with 329 yards on 26 receptions with one touchdown. His single touchdown with the Bears came on a 54-yard play versus the rival Green Bay Packers.

Byrd played for the Gamecocks from 2011 to 2014, totaling 68 catches and 10 touchdowns in four seasons.

Panthers sign Justin Houston

Over the weekend, the Carolina Panthers signed veteran outside linebacker Justin Houston to a one-year deal. The deal is worth $7 million over one season with $6 million of that guaranteed.

The four-time Pro Bowl selectee will the entering the 13th NFL season of his career and will be suiting up for the fourth different franchise. But the 34-year-old showed he still has plenty of gas left in the tank after his performance for the Baltimore Ravens last season.

Houston started a career-low one game for the Ravens in 2022, but still appeared in 14 games and recorded his highest sack total in three seasons, ending the year with 9.5 sacks from his reserve pass-rushing role.

He added 21 tackles to his stat line last season as well, also forcing two turnovers throughout the season with an interception and a forced fumble.

Houston may be just past his prime, but can still play an impactful role on the Panthers’ defensive front. He’s tallied up 506 tackles, 111.5 sacks, and 19 forced fumbles throughout his NFL career, also tying the NFL all-time record for career safeties with four.

On3’s Chandler Vessels contributed to this report.