SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Panthers waived/injured wide receiver Stephen Hill and signed rookie wide receiver Paul Browning to replace him on the roster.
Hill was in obvious pain when he fell to the turf on a pass play midway through Saturday's practice, and assistant head coach Steve Wilks confirmed the severity of Hill's injury after practice Sunday. Hill tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
"It's tough anytime you lose a player," Wilks said. "We're just praying that Stephen has a quick recovery, and we'll move forward."
Hill, a second-round draft choice on the New York Jets in 2012, spent last season on Carolina's practice squad and showed significant strides this offseason that had the coaching staff excited about his prospects. His quest to earn a role was derailed Saturday when he went across the middle and tracked a pass but landed awkwardly. It was a non-contact injury.
Browning was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cleveland Browns after the 2015 NFL Draft but was waived by the team June 19. He amassed 152 catches for 2,507 yards and 24 touchdowns at Colorado State-Pueblo and helped the school capture the Division II National Championship last season.
