CHARLOTTE – The Panthers have filled the opening on their 90-man roster with Aldrick Robinson, an unrestricted free agent with a track record as a reliable complementary receiver.
"They want to stretch the field. They want me to add to that. They like my speed and my ability to open things up," Robinson said. "I can create separation and get by defenders."
Robinson, who has 86 career receptions for 1,422 yards and 14 touchdowns, signed a one-year contract. The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder scored five touchdowns last season for the Vikings, the fourth team he's scored for since the Redskins selected him in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
"My career has been a grind," Robinson said. "I've always had to prove myself everywhere I've been. I'm OK with that."
A speedster out of SMU, Robinson spent his rookie year on Washington's practice squad but has played in at least 14 games in five of the seven seasons since. He played just five games for Washington in 2014 and was out of football in 2015, but every other year since 2012 he's scored at least two touchdowns despite catching no more than 20 passes in any season.
Robinson recorded a 4.43 in the 40 at the 2011 NFL Combine and has at least one 40-yard-plus reception in five of the last six seasons that he's been on a roster.
View photos of the newly signed wide receiver finding the end zone as a member of the Vikings, 49ers, Falcons and Redskins.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Aldrick Robinson (17) catches the ball for a touchdown in front of Los Angeles Rams cornerback Marcus Peters (22) during an NFL football game on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018 in Los Angeles. Robinson catches the ball for a touchdown. Los Angeles won 38-31. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Aldrick Robinson (17) catches a pass in the end zone to score a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Rams defeated the Vikings, 38-31. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Aldrick Robinson (17) catches a pass in front of New York Jets' Morris Claiborne (21) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Howard Simmons)
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Aldrick Robinson (17) makes a touchdown reception against Chicago Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Mark Black)
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Aldrick Robinson catches a 40-yard touchdown pass in front of Miami Dolphins cornerback Torry McTyer, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
San Francisco 49ers Aldrich Robinson (19) catches a pass for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, October 15, 2017, in Washington, DC. The Redskins won the game 26-24. (Terrell Lloyd via AP Images)
San Francisco 49ers Aldrich Robinson (19) catches a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, December 31, 2017, in Los Angeles CA (Terrell Lloyd via AP Images)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Aldrick Robinson (19) looks back over his shoulder at quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) as he celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the against the San Francisco 49ers in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. The Washington Redskins defeated the San Francisco 49ers 26-24. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Aldrick Robinson (19) runs into he snd zone for a touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Aldrick Robinson (19) celebrates a touchdown by Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Aldrick Robinson (19) makes a touchdown catch against Carolina Panthers strong safety Kurt Coleman (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Washington Redskins wide receiver Aldrick Robinson breaks free from New England Patriots strong safety Duron Harmon (30) and scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football preseason game in Landover, Md., Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Redskins wide receiver Aldrick Robinson rolls into the end zone past Chicago Bears free safety Chris Conte on a touchdown pass reception during the second half of a NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Redskins wide receiver Aldrick Robinson (11) scores a touchdown in front of New Orleans Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton (50) and strong safety Corey White (24) in the first half of an NFL football game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
Washington Redskins wide receiver Aldrick Robinson (11)celebrates his touchdown with defensive end Chris Baker (92) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
