Experienced Pro Bowl with Mahomes and Kelce, later finding employment in recycling. Fate provided a second opportunity.

Hunter Renfrow Returns to Carolina Panthers Amid Injury to Jalen Coker

After a brief hiatus, wide receiver Hunter Renfrow is back with the Carolina Panthers. The move comes following an injury to fellow wideout Jalen Coker, who is expected to miss four to six games to start the season.

Renfrow, a 5 ft 10 in player, initially joined the Panthers a day after the 2025 NFL Draft. His tenure with the team was short-lived, as he was released at the end of the 2023 season. However, rumours of his retirement were quickly squashed when Renfrow signed a one-year contract with the Panthers late in August.

Renfrow's return to the Panthers is not his first stint in the NFL. He was a fifth-round pick in 2019 by the Las Vegas Raiders, where he made an immediate impact with 605 yards as a rookie. In 2021, he had a standout season, recording 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns, earning him a spot in the Pro Bowl alongside players like Justin Herbert and Jonathan Taylor.

During his time with the Raiders, Renfrow also made a name for himself in the Pro Bowl, catching a touchdown pass from Mac Jones. Notably, in Week 2 of the 2022 season, he had seven catches for 59 yards but fumbled twice, with one recovered for a touchdown in an overtime win.

Renfrow's career statistics speak for themselves. In his NFL career so far, he has 186 receptions, 2,133 yards, and 15 touchdowns. However, the 2022 and 2023 seasons were challenging for Renfrow, as he missed seven games due to a concussion and struggled with ulcerative colitis, managing only 25 receptions for 255 yards.

Renfrow has been praised for his route-running skills by All-Pro Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James. His technique has been compared to that of Tyreek Hill, Darren Waller, and Keenan Allen.

With Adam Thielen returning to the Minnesota Vikings, potential opportunities for Renfrow as a weapon for QB Bryce Young may arise. As Renfrow expressed regret over his performance in 2022 and 2023, feeling he let his teammates down, he will undoubtedly strive to make a positive impact on the Panthers' season.

The Carolina Panthers re-signed Renfrow in 2025 after he was released and considered retired for some time; despite interest from other teams, Renfrow chose to stay with the Panthers, who brought him back due to injuries and to strengthen their receiving corps. As the 2025 NFL season unfolds, football fans will be eager to see how Renfrow performs in his second stint with the Panthers.

Experienced Pro Bowl with Mahomes and Kelce, later finding employment in recycling. Fate provided a second opportunity.