23 Kenjon Barner RB

Barner (knee) was placed on injured reserve Friday.

Barner handled return duties for the Panthers from Week 13 to Week 16 before ultimately landing on IR with a knee issue. He earned just one target in the passing game with Carolina after a midseason release from the Patriots. Barner's upcoming absence allowed the Panthers to promote offensive lineman Dorian Johnson from their practice squad.

Barner (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Barner was initially announced as doubtful before he was quickly upgraded to questionable. The 29-year-old was added to the injury report as a non-participant Thursday, so the specifics of his injury remain unclear.

Barner suffered a knee injury and was a non-participant at practice Thursday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Barner wasn't listed on the injury report Wednesday, so the specifics of the issue remain unclear. The 29-year-old's participation at practice Friday should provide a better idea of his availability for Sunday's season finale against the Saints.

Barner caught his only target, a three-yard gain, during Sunday's 24-10 loss to Atlanta.

Barner was relegated to mostly special-teams duty in his first three games back with the Panthers after starting off the year in New England. That changed Sunday with his first reception on either squad this season. There likely isn't much of a role for Barner Sunday given the do-it-all ability of Christian McCaffrey and a matchup against the Saints' top-three run defense, surrendering just 3.7 yards per carry, but rookie No. 3 quarterback Kyle Allen will likely need all the help he can get in the running and short-passing games in what will be his first career start.

Barner is active for Sunday's game versus the Buccaneers, Max Henson of the Panthers' official site reports.

Barner will make his Panthers debut after being scooped off waivers ahead of Week 11's contest. He won't get any reasonable time in the backfield behind Christian McCaffrey, but Barner may be tasked with returning kicks since Damiere Byrd (arm) is on injured reserve.