This Panthers WR had three catches in college. Now he’s running routes for Bryce Young
Dan Chisena didn’t catch a college pass until his senior year at Penn State. He didn’t catch an NFL regular-season pass until his fifth year in the league.
But with a banged-up wide receiver unit trying to will itself through the final stretch of the season, Chisena — one of the more unlikely NFL stories in the Carolina Panthers locker room — is getting his number called.
“Any time I get to keep doing this job, it’s just such a blessing, I’m so thankful for it,” Chisena said Tuesday. “I just try to be the same person every day and be consistent in my process and my approach, whether I’m on the practice squad or elevated for a game or you get called in a split second to go in — just trying to be prepared those opportunities.
“I just feel like that’s just been my role: ‘If you guys need me, I’ll be ready to go.’”
Former Penn State track standout is living NFL dream
Chisena, 27, walked onto the Penn State football team as a freshman and was immediately redshirted. While he awaited his turn with the football team, he also walked onto the track team, and he eventually earned a track scholarship that led him away from James Franklin’s roster.
He was part of the relay team that set a school outdoor record in 2017 for the 4x100-meter. According to Penn State, Chisena also placed in the top 10 of 13 finishes in his 2017 indoor campaign after producing five top-five finishes in 2016.
However, Chisena’s track career took a turn in 2018 when he suffered a serious hamstring injury. Instead of restarting his career on the track, he decided to head back to football.
“That time (with the hamstring injury) is what kind of made me think about what I wanted the next year and a half, or so, to look like eligibility-wise and sports-wise,” Chisena said. “I always missed football a little bit, and long story short, decided to give that another shot. Thanks to Coach Franklin and the whole Penn State program, they were willing to take me back.”
The second chance with the football team led to a role as a special teams ace as a junior.
While he only appeared in two games during his junior season, he set himself up for a promotion as a senior. During his second and final football season with Penn State in 2019, Chisena saw action in 12 games and made three catches for 66 yards, including a 40-yard completion in a win against Maryland.
Those three catches were the only offensive stats on Chisena’s college resume. And yet, he still entered the NFL draft in 2020 and got an undrafted free-agent contract offer from the Minnesota Vikings.
While the opportunity was notable for Chisena, who played a total of 14 college games, the climb to make the roster was steep. The Vikings had just selected Justin Jefferson, a future All-Pro wideout, in the first round, and K.J. Osborn, a fellow receiver, in the fifth round during that same draft.
Luckily for Chisena, he was a standout on special teams. He ended up playing 14 games as a rookie.
“It doesn’t really make sense, and it’s really just by the grace of God that those doors opened, and I just tried to work as hard as I could with the opportunities that I got,” Chisena said. “And I ended up making the team and having a great time there, and honestly, I really appreciate that organization for all they did for me and the opportunities that I got there.”
The 6-foot-3, 202-pound wideout has gained a reputation for his speed on special teams.
Chisena played in 27 games during his three years with the Vikings before splitting the 2023 season between Arizona and Baltimore.
He joined the Panthers’ practice squad in October and was promoted to the main roster last week. During his three game elevations from the practice squad before his main-roster promotion, Chisena made his first career catch earlier this month against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are Carolina’s Week 17 opponent as well.
During Sunday’s overtime win over the Cardinals — his former team — Chisena played just four offensive snaps, but he was still targeted twice by QB Bryce Young in the fourth quarter. He had a 23-yard catch-and-run play that helped keep a drive alive late in the game.
“He’s done great,” head coach Dave Canales said. “He’s done a fantastic job, just being ready to go. A guy that gives us some speed — he can stretch the field — he’s had a couple of targets and made the most of them. A big third-down catch in the game (against Arizona), and then he plays special teams, he can cover kicks as a gunner, he play in the vice (position) — a lot of things.
“So, he’s making the most of this opportunity and showing us what he can do.”
While he isn’t a huge focus of the offense, Chisena is trying to make the most of his latest opportunity. He’s been through his ups and downs as an NFL underdog, but he’s still — believe it or not — among the chosen few to line up on Sundays.
“It’s incredibly special,” Chisena said. “Again, it’s just a testament to the Lord, and again, the doors he’s opened up. I remember saying it to family when I got the undrafted opportunity (with the Vikings). It’s like, ‘If it’s the Lord’s will, whether it’s six months or six years or more, that’s just what it’s going to be, and I’m going to approach it with hard work and do my best.’ And yeah, it’s been more than I could have imagined — there’s been ups and downs during that time — moving teams, getting cut, practice squads . . . but it’s just part of the journey now, and I’ve seen a lot.
“It’s all a blessing — even the lows — getting to do this job is a blessing, and I have nothing but gratitude for every day that I get to do what I love.”
Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard honored
The NFL announced Tuesday that Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard was the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 16. The honor was the first of Hubbard’s four-year career.
Hubbard ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns in the 36-30 overtime win over the Arizona Cardinals. He also caught four passes for 13 yards. His second rushing score came on a 21-yard walk-off touchdown to end the matchup.
“I’ve built up a standard for myself, and I’m just going to keep living up to that,” Hubbard said Tuesday, regarding his career year.
Hubbard is currently sixth in the NFL with 1,195 rushing yards. He’s also sixth in the league with 250 rushing attempts and tied for 11th with 10 rushing touchdowns. Along with his success on the ground, he leads the Panthers with 43 catches, which have produced 171 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Hubbard is the first Panthers player to win the award since fellow running back and former teammate D’Onta Foreman got the nod in Week 16 of 2022. Kicker Eddy Piñeiro received NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in 2022 and 2023.
Quick hits
▪ The Panthers didn’t release an injury report on Tuesday. The team will release its typical Wednesday participation report based off of Tuesday’s walkthrough, despite the players being off for Christmas. Wide receiver Xavier Legette (hip) was seen in a helmet and jersey during the media portion of the practice. Running back Miles Sanders (ankle), who remains on injured reserve, was seen watching practice in sports leisure attire.
▪ The Panthers’ current draft position is the seventh overall selection in the first round, according to Tankathon. The New York Giants are the runaway favorites for the top pick with a 2-12 record entering Week 17. The Panthers defeated the Giants in Week 10 in overtime in Munich, Germany, in November.
▪ Wide receiver Adam Thielen, the team’s 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee, has caught at least five passes in each of the last four games. Despite missing seven games this season, Thielen leads the team with 461 receiving yards. He ranks second on the team in touchdown catches (3) and third in receptions (38) with only eight games of action this season.
This story was originally published December 24, 2024 at 3:47 PM with the headline "This Panthers WR had three catches in college. Now he’s running routes for Bryce Young."
