CHARLOTTE – The Panthers have placed wide receiver Devin Funchess on injured reserve and have signed wide receiver Damiere Byrd off the practice squad to take his place.
Funchess suffered a knee injury in Week 16 that head coach Ron Rivera said wouldn't require surgery but wouldn't allow him to play in Sunday's season finale at Tampa Bay. Funchess caught 23 passes for 371 yards and four touchdowns this season.
Byrd, a second-year pro out of the University of South Carolina, could make his NFL debut Sunday. He made the initial 53-man roster following a strong preseason both as a receiver and punt returner but was inactive for the first five games. He had since been on the practice squad, where he spent his entire rookie season.
View photos of the Panthers as they prepare for their game against Tampa Bay.