Associated Press
The Panthers’ notebook …
CHARLOTTEó The Carolina Panthers ran out of patience with Ryne Robinson’s slow recovery from a preseason knee injury Wednesday, placing the kick returner on injured reserve and ending his season.
The Panthers signed former Wake Forest receiver and Charlotte native Kenneth Moore off Detroit’s practice squad to take Robinson’s roster spot.
Moore was stunned when he got the call from the hometown Panthers.
“To think you can be going back home it’s like, wow,” said Moore, who played at Butler High School. “I couldn’t believe it. I’m here and I’m excited about it. It’s good to be with guys I used to see on TV. I can actually talk to them now.”
After setting Wake Forest records with 98 receptions for 1,011 yards last season, Moore was the Lions’ fifth-round draft pick. But Moore was among Detroit’s final cuts before the regular season and was signed to the practice squad.
Moore provides depth at receiver and also has kick returning experience.
He’ll also get another chance to play at Bank of America Stadium, where he ended his college career in December by catching 11 passes for 112 yards and was voted MVP in Wake Forest’s Meineke Bowl win over Connecticut.
“The bowl game was a success, to end my senior year with a win and in the Panthers’ stadium. Back at home and to win MVP, it was great,” Moore said. “Hopefully I can just carry on the success at this level.”
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HACKETT OUT: Receiver D.J. Hackett is expected to miss Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay after he sprained his knee against Kansas City.
Dwayne Jarrett, who has been inactive the past three games since Steve Smith returned from his suspension, will likely replace Hackett as the No. 3 receiver behind Smith and Muhsin Muhammad.
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O-LINE WOES: The injury woes continued on the offensive line, with three of the five starters missing practice.
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EXTRA POINTS: DT Darwin Walker (thigh) and S Quinton Teal (ankle) missed practice, while LB Na’il Diggs (foot) was limited. … QB Matt Moore practiced without restrictions as he nears a complete recovery from a broken bone in his leg.