Carolina Panthers’ Hunter Renfrow is tackled by Atlanta Falcons’ Billy Bowman Jr. at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
The Carolina Panthers are heading into the playoffs without veteran wideout Hunter Renfrow.
The team waived the former Clemson standout Tuesday — along with second-year safety Demani Richardson — to make room for fellow veteran receiver David Moore, who was activated off injured reserve.
Renfrow had been a healthy scratch for the final 11 games of the regular season. Richardson was also a healthy scratch for the regular-season finale loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Both had been supplanted in the lineup by other players.
Panthers waive Hunter Renfrow after long inactive stretch
Renfrow, who spent all of last season out of the league due to a bout with ulcerative colitis, staged a successful comeback attempt in Carolina this summer. Despite being released ahead of the cut-down deadline in August, Renfrow returned to the Panthers shortly after the Adam Thielen trade.
Carolina Panthers wide receivers Tetairoa McMillan, left and Hunter Renfrow, right, celebrate McMillan’s touchdown pass reception during action against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 12, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Cowboys 30-27. JEFF SINER [email protected]
Renfrow went on to play in the team’s first six games, collecting 15 catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
Renfrow was inactive during the entire second half of the season following Jalen Coker’s return to and ascent up the depth chart. Coker produced 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games, as the Panthers clinched their first NFC South title since 2015.
David Moore, right, celebrates with Panthers’ teammate Bryce Young after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons. Todd Kirkland Getty Images
Richardson, a 2024 undrafted free-agent signing of the Panthers, was a special teams cog for most of his second year. He rarely saw time on defense after showing flashes during his rookie season. He was eventually supplanted by former Clemson star Isaiah Simmons as a special teams contributor and fourth safety. Richardson appeared in 13 games and produced seven tackles and a fumble recovery.
Both Renfrow and Richardson will be subject to waivers. However, neither player can play in the postseason if they’re claimed by another playoff team.
If Renfrow and/or Richardson clear waivers, they can sign with a playoff team and play in the postseason.
David Moore’s return gives Panthers playoff experience
Moore has been on the shelf since sustaining a serious elbow injury in the Week 4 loss to the New England Patriots.
The Panthers activated Moore’s 21-day practice window on injured reserve last month. However, he wasn’t activated during the team’s playoff push in December.
Moore, who has played for coach Dave Canales on two other playoff teams, will give the Panthers some much-needed postseason experience in the wideout room. The Panthers’ main roster features 30 players without playoff experience, following the waiving of Richardson.
The Panthers’ 53-man roster has one more open space. That spot would presumably go to Pro Bowl right guard Rob Hunt (biceps) if he were to be cleared for Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams at Bank of America Stadium (4:30 p.m.). Hunt had his 21-day practice window activated in Week 17.
He hasn’t played since sustaining a torn biceps in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Panthers activate Chandler Zavala’s IR window
The Panthers made a fourth roster move Tuesday ahead of their first practice of the postseason.
The team activated guard Chandler Zavala’s 21-day practice window on injured reserve. Zavala, who has been sidelined with a calf injury, can be activated to the 53-man roster at any point over the next three weeks.
Along with Hunt, Zavala can create extra experienced depth on the line. He could also be an option to start at right guard over Austin Corbett if Hunt is unavailable.
Zavala, who played college ball at NC State, has appeared in seven games (five starts) this season. The 2023 fourth-round pick has appeared in 34 games (14 starts) in his three years with the squad.
This story will be updated.
This story was originally published January 6, 2026 at 9:40 AM.
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Mike Kaye
The Charlotte Observer
Mike Kaye writes about the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. He also co-hosts “Processing Blue: A Panthers Podcast” for The Observer. Kaye’s work in columns/analysis and sports feature writing has been honored by the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA). His reporting has also received recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. Support my work with a digital subscription
