The Panthers signed wide receiver Gabriel Benyard on Thursday morning and waived defensive tackle Parker Peterson to make room, a roster move that came after injuries left the team short at receiver.
Benyard, an undrafted rookie from Kennesaw State, brings a smaller frame at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, but he arrives with production that stood out: 60 catches, 949 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He was also in Bills camp earlier this spring, giving the Panthers another receiver with at least some recent pro exposure.
The timing tells the story. The Panthers had already signed former Falcons wideout Casey Washington on Wednesday, yet they still went back to the market the next morning, a sign the shortage at receiver was pressing during training camp. Dan Chisena is on injured reserve, and Chris Brazzell II went down in Wednesday's practice with a left knee injury.
That injury is the one that now shapes the rest of the week. Brazzell is expected to have season-ending surgery on his left knee soon after the fall in practice, which leaves the Panthers trying to patch together enough bodies for camp work while hoping the newest additions can simply keep the drill line moving. Benyard may have arrived as depth, but for now depth is the job.
