Two more Carolina Panthers won’t be ready for the start of training camp.
As announced by the team on Saturday afternoon, receiver Cam Sims and rookie cornerback Chau Smith-Wade have been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list. They will join wideout Jalen Coker, offensive tackle Yosh Nijman and outside linebackers D.J. Wonnum and Amaré Barno—all of whom were also shelved on Friday.
Smith-Wade was selected by the Panthers in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft. Given Carolina’s lack of depth at the cornerback position, the Washington State standout could figure into the defense’s plans right away in 2024.
“With this whole pre-draft process, I’ve been talking to coaches and a lot of scouts,” Smith-Wade said after being selected in April. “They see me as a nickel, but I wouldn’t limit myself to just one position. I see myself being versatile in this league. I see myself making plays at corner, I see myself making plays at nickel, perhaps even safety. So I would never just limit myself to just one position when I know I can be multiple.”
He is now the second of Carolina’s 2024 draftees who hasn’t received clearance for the start of camp—with second-round running back Jonathon Brooks having already been placed on the active/non-football injury list yesterday.
