Weeks after claiming Donte Moncrief, the Panthers will send him back to the waiver wire. Carolina cut Moncrief and will replace him with another wide receiver — practice squad promotion Greg Dortch — providing another sign the veteran is running out of chances.
The Panthers became the second team this season to cut bait on the sixth-year receiver, following the Steelers’ lead. Pittsburgh benched the 6-foot-4 talent, despite giving him its No. 2 wideout job after the preseason, early in the year before waiving him in early November.
A former third-round pick, Moncrief did not catch a pass in three outings with the Panthers. He caught four for 18 yards as a Steeler. This represents a steep descent for the former Colts and Jaguars cog, who caught 48 passes for 668 yards and three touchdowns as a Jaguar last year. That prompted the Steelers to give him a two-year, $9MM deal. If no one claims Moncrief by Monday afternoon, he will be a free agent.
A 5-foot-7 rookie UDFA claimed by the Panthers in September, Dortch has played in one game with the Panthers. He served as Carolina’s return man in Week 9 against the Titans.
So are the Panthers on the hook for his contract or is it the Steelers?
Would be stunned if the Panthers actually picked him up on waivers. So Steelers probably eat all of the dead cap. The guy runs around like Terminator with giant metal anvils attached to his wrists.
Possibly the worst receiver I’ve ever seen play football.
When a team claims a player they are responsible for his contract so the panthers owe it unless another team claims him
Giants should pick him low risk high reward mostly for next year
This has New England cheap signing reclamation project written all over it!
Being replaced by a guy off the practice squad does signal there is a lot left with this guy. Carolina got a taste of what Pittsburgh experienced.
I’m a fan of his college team and I wouldn’t claim him. Maybe a minimal FA signing to see if they can fix what’s wrong. But not for anything other than a minimal cost.