Panthers Make Surprising WR Signing in Week 15 After Costly Drop vs. Eagles

The Carolina Panthers are busy adding to their 53-man roster before their Week 15 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. The Panthers reportedly signed running back/wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. to the active roster from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad.

With Jonathon Brooks out and Raheem Blackshear banged up, it makes sense why the Panthers wanted to get a look at Jones Jr. However, that wasn’t the only move Carolina made on the offensive side of the ball.

According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Panthers are signing former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Trenton Irwin to the practice squad, with the plan being that he’ll be quickly elevated to the 53-man roster.

The former Bengals will be reunited with Carolina offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, who coached him at Stanford. 

On Tuesday afternoon, the Panthers officially announced the signings of Jones and Irwin, while also waiving defensive lineman DeShawn Williams and cutting wide receiver Dax Milne from the practice squad, per Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer.

The signing of Irwin is notable as Jalen Coker is still injured and Xavier Legette had another costly drop in last week’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. But we shouldn’t expect Irwin to play more snaps than Legette.

The 29-year-old Irwin has spent the last six seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals shockingly waived the veteran wide receiver earlier this month. In seven games with Cincy this season, he had three receptions (10 targets) for 15 yards.

Over his sixth-year career, Irwin has produced 46 receptions (72 targets) for 601 yards and five touchdowns. He also has some kick return skills, making him an intriguing late-season addition.

We'll see how fast the Panthers integrate Irwin into the offense as they can use more help at wide receiver as the regular season wraps up.

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