Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Wednesday that the team remains in contact with veteran wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, who was released Tuesday. Canales described ongoing discussions about Renfrow’s potential future with the organization.
“He’s talking to his family, he’s talking to his agent,” Canales said. “We’re just going to keep taking it kind of one day at a time and see where he’s at. I just felt like towards the end, like the last stretch of what I saw, I want to be able to count on Hunter to be as good as he was the whole time. And I just saw some peaks and then I just saw some dips also in terms of his performance, and I just felt like, in fairness to the whole group, in fairness to the team, I wanted to make sure that he knew I wanted to be a part of your future.
“I don’t think right now is the time initially for this team, and so he just kind of said, you know, I have to think about what I want to do, and so we’re in communication right now, we’re going to kind of take it day by day and see what we’re at.”
Renfrow joined Carolina during the offseason after missing last year due to health issues related to ulcerative colitis. He impressed early in training camp but recently dealt with a hamstring strain before playing in the preseason finale.
When asked if non-playing roles were discussed with Renfrow, Canales replied: “Could be.” He added that conversations are ongoing regarding possible roster or practice squad spots. “We’re just talking about everything right now,” Canales said. “I just want to be a part of his future, of what he wants to do. I just told him that, like in whatever capacity that is, whether it’s the 53 or practice squad, that was just kind of the conversations.
“I’m just talking about wanting to be a part of him, like the guy that I remember. And I think that he’s on his way back there, and I truly believe that, and I believe in him as a guy. I had such a blast working with him in this short amount of time, but I’d love to see him back out there at some point, and so it’s just a matter of us continuing to stay in touch and see where we’re at.”
The Panthers’ kicking situation remains unsettled after releasing Matt Wright on Tuesday; rookie Ryan Fitzgerald is currently their only kicker. Regarding Fitzgerald’s status moving forward: “He’s our kicker right now,” Canales said. “But again, we’re going to take this thing week to week and look, see how he’s doing, and kind of just continue to look at what’s out there, and we’ll make the right decisions for the Panthers as we go along.
“I would say the same thing for any other kicker that was here. This is a performance-type league; there are so many guys out there who want these jobs. There’s more kickers than there are spots on the 32 teams. So again it’s that competition; this is a good moment for him [Fitzgerald] to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Rookie outside linebacker Nic Scourton returned from injury Wednesday after recovering from a collapsed lung sustained during joint practices with Houston. According to Canales: “He handled it well,” Canales said. “I’ll follow back up with Denny [Kellington] and see how he comes out just following practice but he looked good.” Tight end Tommy Tremble also practiced without restrictions while left guard Damien Lewis continues wearing a red jersey as he recovers from an earlier shoulder injury.
Canales also addressed reported moves involving former Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker joining Carolina’s practice squad alongside running back DeeJay Dallas (most recently released by Arizona). While not yet official as signings: “Hendon Hooker is a guy that I loved in the process coming out of Tennessee; I had some great meetings with him,” Canales said. “He really impressed me as a man…a beautiful motion big strapping guy who can run…”
“I am very grateful that we get a player who’s had professional training for awhile now with certain protections…the talent and character I’m excited about; I’m glad he’s going to be here.”
