Hits free agency

Byrd (arm) became a free agent Wednesday after the Panthers declined to tender him a contract for 2019, freelance NFL writer Howard Balzer reports.

Analysis: Byrd landed on injured reserve in late November after suffering a broken arm Week 12 against the Seahawks. The 26-year-old had only one catch for eight yards in eight games with Carolina in 2018, numbers that may explain why the team opted not to retain him for another year.

Moves to injured reserve

Byrd (arm) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Analysis: Byrd suffered a broken arm in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks and was already declared out for the season, so this was just a procedural move. D.J. Moore is listed as the next man up for punt returns on the Panthers' unofficial depth chart.

Out for season

Byrd suffered a broken arm in Sunday's loss against the Seahawks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: The return specialist is expected to be placed on injured reserve following the injury, so his 2018 campaign is over. His absence likely won't have an impact on the offense, but rookie D.J. Moore could take over Byrd's duties on special teams.

Injures arm

Byrd has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's contest against the Seahawks with an arm injury, Bill Voth of Panthers.com reports.

Analysis: Byrd's absence won't have an impact on the Panthers' offense, but rookie D.J. Moore could be asked to handle return duties on special teams.

Not on injury report

Byrd (ankle) is not listed on the Panthers' injury report Wednesday, Bryan Strickland of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: Byrd was sidelined for Sunday's loss to the Redskins, but appears to have recovered from his ankle issue. The 25-year-old should serve as the Panthers' primary return man going forward.

Ruled out Sunday

Byrd was officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Redskins with an ankle injury, Bryan Strickland of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: Byrd was battling a knee injury earlier in the season, but he was added to the injury report and was unable to practice Thursday. The 25-year-old has played in two games this season, returning four punts for 44 yards. D.J. Moore should again fill in as the primary return man for the Panthers.

Fully participates in practice

Byrd (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Bryan Strickland of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: Byrd has missed Carolina's last two games with a knee injury, but seems to have fully recovered from his ailment and should be ready to go for Week 5 against the Giants. The third-year wideout caught 10 passes for 105 yards and two scores in 2017, though he figures to spend most of his time on special teams as Carolina's primary kick and punt returner.

Out again Week 3

Byrd (knee) will be inactive for the second consecutive game Week 3 against Cincinnati.

Analysis: Byrd was only able to log limited practices for the entire week after missing the season's second game against the Falcons. With Byrd on the shelf, look for rookie D.J. Moore to once again assume kick and punt return duties.

Questionable for Sunday

Byrd (knee) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Byrd has been a limited participant in practice this week to earn the questionable tag, and he did not play in last Sunday's loss to Atlanta. D.J. Moore filled in as kickoff and punt returner for the Panthers in his absence last week, and will likely do so again if Byrd is unable to suit up against Cincinnati.

Limited in practice Thursday

Byrd (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Analysis: Byrd continues to nurse a knee injury, and has been a limited participant in practice all week after being sidelined Week 2. If the depth wideout is unable to suit up for Sunday's game against the Bengals, expect either Christian McCaffery or D.J. Moore to step in as the Panthers' primary kick returner.

Ruled out against Atlanta

Byrd (knee) was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Byrd has been battling the knee injury this week and will not be ready for Week 2. Christian McCaffrey could see action on kick and punt returns in his absence, with D.J. Moore the next man up if the Panthers choose to limit the exposure of their starting running back.

Misses another practice

Byrd was only able to work out on the side at Thursday's practice due a knee injury, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Analysis: With Curtis Samuel (chest) sitting out the Week 1 win over the Cowboys, Byrd served as the Panthers' No. 5 wideout in the contest, but that role didn't yield any snaps on offense. Samuel seems to be trending toward another absence Sunday against the Falcons, and it's possible he could be joined in street clothes by Byrd. The 25-year-old will likely be listed as a non-participant in practice for the second straight day and may need to log at least a limited session Friday to keep hope alive for…read more

To benefit from Samuel's absence

Byrd will assume a larger role with fellow wideout Curtis Samuel (chest) ruled out for Sunday's season opener against the Cowboys, ESPN's David Newton reports.

Analysis: Byrd will slide up into the fifth spot on the depth chart, with his skill set making him a suitable replacement for Samuel's speed slot role. Although Carolina currently boasts a bevy of pass-catching options ahead of him, including tight end Greg Olsen and tailback Christian McCaffrey to boot, Byrd's increased opportunity boosts his stock ahead of Week 1. The entirety of the third-year pro's 10 receptions last season came over the final five weeks, accounting for 105 yards and two scores from…read more

Named to regular-season roster

Byrd is among six wideouts named to the Panthers' 53-man roster for the regular season.

Analysis: Byrd is clearly the last option among Carolina's receivers, but the fact the team made room for him once again shows its confidence in his ability. Two of Byrd's 10 catches last season went for touchdowns, but as things currently stand, his most consistent involvement figures to come on special teams.

Hauls in two passes

Byrd caught two of his three targets for 27 yards in Friday's 27-20 win over the Dolphins in the second preseason game.

Analysis: Byrd also gained 45 yards across his two kickoff returns. His first reception came from backup Taylor Heinicke in the final moments of the third quarter, and he followed that with a 17-yard grab from Garrett Gilbert in the fourth. As someone trying to make the roster and a depth receiver and returner, Byrd will hope to make a splash in Carolina's final two exhibition outings.

Byrd (leg) is back to full health and ready to participate in offseason workouts in April, Bill Voth of the Panthers' official website reports.

Analysis: Byrd missed seven games in the middle of last season with a broken arm, returning in December to score three touchdowns (one on a kick return) in four games before landing back on injured reserve with a leg/knee injury. He avoided surgery and re-signed with the Panthers, but he'll likely need to compete for a depth role after the team added Torrey Smith and Jarius Wright in the offseason. Byrd's 4.28 speed could give him the inside track to a roster spot, offering the potential to return kicks…read more

The Panthers have tendered a one-year contract to Byrd, an exclusive rights free agent, Max Henson of the team's official website reports.

Analysis: Undrafted out of South Carolina in 2015, the lightning-quick wideout finally earned a role with the Panthers late last season, catching 10 of 17 targets for 105 yards and two scores and adding a punt return for a touchdown. His shot at a meaningful role in 2018 took a hit Friday afternoon when Carolina agreed to trade for Torrey Smith. With Smith and 2017 second-round pick Curtis Samuel offering a similar element of speed, Byrd may be forced to battle a roster spot in training camp, though it…read more

Byrd isn't expected to require surgery to address the lower-leg injury he sustained in Sunday's 22-19 win over the Buccaneers, Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Analysis: Though the lack of a procedure suggests Byrd's recovery timetable will likely be measured in weeks rather than months, his season will nonetheless come to an end after Panthers head coach Ron Rivera revealed Tuesday that the wideout would be placed on injured reserve. After trading away Kelvin Benjamin to the Bills in October and losing Curtis Samuel (ankle) to a season-ending injury of his own soon after, the Panthers were already lacking in weapons at receiver prior to Byrd's emergence over…read more

Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said Tuesday that Byrd would be placed on injured reserve with a lower-leg injury, Bryan Strickland of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: The extent of Byrd's injury is unclear, but the Panthers' decision to shut him down for the season suggests that the wideout is at least looking at a multi-week recovery. It's a disappointing setback for Byrd, who had emerged as a key complementary receiver for the Panthers over the past four weeks following his return from an earlier IR stint due to a broken forearm. To compensate for Byrd's absence, running back Christian McCaffrey is expected to take on even more of a heightened…read more

Byrd suffered a knee injury during Sunday's 22-19 win against the Buccaneers. "He tweaked something on the outside [of the knee]," head coach Ron Rivera told Max Henson of the Panthers' official site afterward. "That's all I know."

Analysis: Byrd's most important contribution of the game came with 2:43 left in the second quarter, when he returned a kickoff 103 yards to the house to break a 6-6 tie at the time. Otherwise, he managed one reception for 31 yards before departing with the knee concern on his third and final kick return. Until the Panthers medical staff pegs down a diagnosis, Byrd's status for Week 17 will remain unknown.

Byrd caught three of four targets for 25 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 31-24 win over the Packers.

Analysis: Byrd's first reception of the season didn't come until two weeks ago, but the second-year pro has since developed into Carolina's fourth option in the passing game. Although he was just barely inbounds, Byrd's nine-yard touchdown during the third quarter marked the first of his career. He then followed that with a 13-yard score to open the fourth and give the Panthers their largest lead of the game. Despite having Devin Funchess, Christian McCaffrey and Greg Olsen above him in the pecking…read more

Byrd caught all five of his targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 31-24 win over the Vikings.

Analysis: Byrd hadn't hauled in more than one pass in any of his six career games entering Sunday, so his five-catch outing certainly surpassed expectations. With the Panthers looking for help outside of Devin Funchess at wide receiver, it'll be interesting to see if the second-year pro can carve out a meaningful role over the final three regular-season games.

Byrd caught one of his two targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 31-21 loss to the Saints.

Analysis: Byrd's appearance was his first since Week 4, and although his impact mirrored that of Brenton Bersin and Kaelin Clay, there isn't enough target volume for the latter portion of the Panthers' wideout depth chart to enable any option to become a significant fantasy commodity.

Byrd (forerarm) will be activated from injured reserve and added to the 53-man roster for Sunday's game in New Orleans, Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Analysis: Any concerns about the availability of a roster spot went out the window Friday when it was announced that defensive end Charles Johnson will be suspended the next four games. Byrd likely would have been activated anyway, as the Panthers need all the help they can get at wide receiver after trading Kelvin Benjamin and losing Curtis Samuel to a season-ending ankle injury. Byrd could push for the No. 2 or 3 receiver job in the coming weeks with the Panthers lacking in reliable contributors behind…read more

Panthers coach Ron Rivera tentatively expects Byrd (forearm) to return from injured reserve for Sunday's game in New Orleans, Max Henson of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: The Panthers already have designated Byrd and Greg Olsen (foot) as their two players to return from injured reserve. While he'll likely have a limited role in terms of snaps and targets, Byrd could be a crucial addition for a Carolina offense that currently lacks a true deep threat. He could also get the occasional carry on end-arounds, perhaps taking on some of the work that was going to Curtis Samuel (ankle) before the rookie second-round pick suffered a season-ending injury. While not an…read more

The Panthers officially designated Byrd (forearm) to return from injured reserve Monday, Bryan Strickland of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: Along with Byrd, tight end Greg Olsen (foot) also received a designation, with the latter first eligible to return for Sunday's game against the Jets. Byrd, on the other hand, will have to wait until the Week 13 game against the Saints in order to suit up for the first time since breaking his forearm in a Week 4 win over the Patriots. Though Byrd was able to resume practicing Monday, he'll need to prove to the Panthers in his subsequent sessions over the next two weeks that he's fully recovered…read more