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Sat, Aug 12 @ 4:00 pm ET
vs New York Jets (7-10-0)
  • Bank of America Stadium

NFC South Standings

Team Div Overall
4-2-0 8-9-0
4-2-0 7-10-0
2-4-0 7-10-0
2-4-0 7-10-0

Top C.J. Saunders News

  • Panthers' C.J. Saunders: Signs new contract with Panthers

    Carolina signed Saunders to a reserve/future contract Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

    Saunders didn't appear in a single contest during the 2022 season, though he did play in two games with the Panthers back in 2021. The young wideout will now get a chance to continue his development with the team.

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  • C.J. Saunders: Joins Carolina's practice squad

    The Panthers signed Saunders to their practice squad Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

    Saunders was waived ahead of Tuesday's 53-man roster deadline but has returned to the team on a practice-squad deal. The undrafted wideout out of Ohio State dealt with a quadriceps strain for much of August but returned to action during the Panthers' preseason finale, operating mostly as a kick returner. He made his NFL debut last year with Carolina, catching both of his targets for 11 yards.

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  • C.J. Saunders: Let go by Carolina

    The Panthers waived Saunders on Tuesday.

    Saunders dealt with a quadriceps strain for much of August but returned to action during the Panthers' preseason finale, operating mostly as a kick returner. The Ohio State wideout appeared in two games for Carolina last year, catching both of his targets for 11 yards.

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  • Panthers' C.J. Saunders: Back in returner role Friday

    Saunders (quadriceps) returned one punt for 23 yards during the Panthers' preseason game Friday.

    Saunders returned to the field just under three weeks after being sidelined with a quadriceps strain picked up in early August. The 25-year-old's participation just ahead of Carolina's final roster cuts Tuesday should help his chances to secure a spot over fellow returners Shi Smith and Andre Roberts.

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  • Panthers' C.J. Saunders: Out 3-4 weeks with quad strain

    Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Wednesday that Saunders has been diagnosed with a quadriceps strain and will be sidelined for three to four weeks, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

    Given the return timetable, Saunders likely won't be available for any of the Panthers' preseason contests, which will make it extremely difficult for him to land a spot on the initial 53-man roster. The former Ohio State wideout was elevated to the Panthers' active roster for Weeks 16 and 18 last year, catching both of his targets for 11 yards.

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  • Panthers' C.J. Saunders: Dealing with leg strain

    Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Tuesday that Saunders is dealing with a lower leg strain, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

    The extent and severity of the issue remains unclear, but any prolonged absence for the former Ohio State product will make it increasingly difficult to land a spot on the initial 53-man roster. Saunders was elevated to the Panthers' active roster for Weeks 16 and 18 last year, catching both of his targets for 11 yards.

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  • Panthers' C.J. Saunders: Sticking with Panthers

    Saunders signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on Monday.

    Saunders was elevated from the practice squad to the active for for Weeks 16 and 18, and he caught both his targets for 11 yards. It was the first action of his NFL career for the 25-year-old, who was initially a cornerback at Ohio State before transitioning to wide receiver.

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  • Panthers' C.J. Saunders: Elevated for Week 18

    Saunders was elevated from the Panthers' practice squad Saturday, Darin Gantt of the team's official website reports.

    The wide receiver last appeared in a game in Week 17, failing to draw a target on five offensive snaps. Saunders' role will likely be similar in Week 18 against the Buccaneers as he'll operate as an extreme depth option behind the likes of DJ Moore and Robby Anderson (questionable, quad), among others.

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  • C.J. Saunders: Returned to practice squad

    Saunders reverted to the Panthers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

    Saunders was elevated immediately prior to Sunday's game against the Buccaneers after Brandon Zylstra (illness) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Sunday. Saunders was on the field for five offensive snaps and did not record a statistic.

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  • Panthers' C.J. Saunders: Bumped up from practice squad

    Saunders was elevated to the active roster Sunday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

    Saunders will potentially get his first taste of NFL action against the Buccaneers after Brandon Zylstra was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Sunday. The Ohio State product signed with the Panthers in the offseason as an undrafted free agent after missing 2019 with an injury and being denied a sixth season of collegiate eligibility in 2020.

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  • C.J. Saunders: Done in Carolina

    The Panthers waived Saunders on Tuesday, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.

    Coach Matt Rhule praised Saunders during the preseason, but the undrafted rookie wasn't able to secure a spot on the regular-season roster. Per Getzenberg, he could be a candidate to return to Carolina via the practice squad if he clears waivers.

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Player Bio

HT/WT: 5-10, 190 lbs
Birthplace: Dublin, OH
Age: 26
School: Ohio State
Experience: 1