By Cameron Lee
August 30, 2025
After a whirlwind week of roster moves, the Panthers have re-signed veteran wide receiver Hunter Renfrow following the news that Jalen Coker was placed on Injured Reserve with a quad injury suffered in Thursday’s practice.
Renfrow, who was originally released on Tuesday, appeared likely to return to the team after Adam Thielen and conditional draft picks were traded to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2026 fifth-rounder and a 2027 fourth-rounder. However, when Carolina later claimed rookie wideout Dalevon Campbell off waivers from the Chargers, the chances of Renfrow rejoining the roster seemed less likely.
General manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales both emphasized that communication with Renfrow and his agent remained ongoing throughout the week.
“I told him I want him back here. I talked to his agent. I talked to him. We’re in constant communication,” Morgan said Thursday. “Nothing’s imminent, you know, but we’re going to stay in contact with him and we’ll try to figure something out to bring him back here.”
For many Panthers fans across the Carolinas, Renfrow’s return is a welcome story. The Myrtle Beach native and Clemson legend missed the 2024 season while dealing with ulcerative colitis but is now set for his big comeback. Renfrow enrolled at Clemson University and walked on to the football team in 2014, earning a scholarship the following year. He went on to rank fifth all-time in catches and helped Clemson win two national championships (2016, 2018).
A fifth-round pick by the Raiders in 2019, Renfrow became a Pro Bowler in 2021 after posting 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns. He flashed his quickness and sharp route-running during training camp, though Canales noted he saw “peaks and dips” in Renfrow’s performance.
“I want to be able to count on Hunter to be as good as he was the whole time,” Canales said earlier this week. “I just saw some peaks, and then I just saw some dips.”
Meanwhile, the injury to Coker is a tough setback for the second-year undrafted receiver, one of Carolina’s best pickups last season. He showed even more promise during the preseason with his size, speed, and athleticism after recording 32 catches for 478 yards (14.9 yards per reception) and two touchdowns in his rookie season. He is expected to miss at least four games, including the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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