Panthers’ coach offers optimistic update on OL Rob Hunt ahead of playoff opener
This is a big week for Pro Bowl right guard Rob Hunt. The Panthers bought him some extra time to get ready for a return from biceps surgery.
If he can get through the rigors of the practice week, Hunt could be activated for the wild-card round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday (4:30 p.m.) at Bank of America Stadium.
“Rob’s got a couple of huge days — he looked great today, tomorrow’s going to be an elevated practice,” Coach Dave Canales said Tuesday. “We’re going to run a little bit more, push on each other a little bit, and that’s going to be a really big test for him, so we’re going to just have to take that one day to day.”
Hunt was the team’s top lineman last year. He’s been sidelined since Week 3 on injured reserve, but the veteran lineman has been working out in practice for the past two weeks.
If he can return to the lineup, the Panthers will put together their 11th starting offensive line combination in 18 games. Still, Hunt makes the group better if he’s healthy enough to play.
“He’s very excited about it,” Canales said about Hunt. “He’s so proud to be a part of what we’ve been doing. He’s been kind of watching it from the sideline — literally. But to be a part of where we’re at, it should feel really special for Rob.”
Panthers waive Hunter Renfrow after long inactive stretch
The 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.
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.
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.
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 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 Hunt if he were to be cleared for Saturday’s game against the Rams.
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.
Panthers’ Tuesday injury report
Below is the initial injury report of the week based on Tuesday’s practice:
Limited: DT Bobby Brown (concussion), CB Robert Rochell (concussion)
Full: LB Claudin Cherelus (calf/ankle), RG Rob Hunt (biceps/IR), DE Turk Wharton (hamstring), G Chandler Zavala (calf/IR)
This story was originally published January 6, 2026 at 9:40 AM with the headline "Panthers’ coach offers optimistic update on OL Rob Hunt ahead of playoff opener."
