CURTIS SAMUEL NEWS

Expected to suit up Sunday Samuel (knee) is expected to play Sunday against the Saints, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Samuel was inactive last week against the Bears, but it looks like he'll be back for Sunday's 1:00pm ET kickoff after a one-game absence. In the five games he has suited up for, Samuel hasn't been a high-volume option in the Carolina passing game (19 catches on 23 targets for 183 yards), but he has at least picked up some extra touches in that span, having also logged 15 carries for 63 yards.

OCTOBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable again Samuel (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in New Orleans.

Impact Samuel missed the Week 6 game against Chicago after logging three straight limited practices. He followed the same routine in practice this week, so it's best to treat him as truly questionable ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Keith Kirkwood filled in as Carolina's No. 3 receiver last week, playing 51 percent of snaps and catching one of two targets for 13 yards.

OCTOBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited again Thursday Samuel (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Myles Simmons of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Since it was revealed Samuel was dealing with a knee injury last week, his practice reps have been monitored closely, and he was even spotted in a green non-contact jersey Thursday, per Simmons. Samuel has one more opportunity to be a full participant this week, but the fact he hasn't taken contact yet isn't a great sign for his availability Sunday at New Orleans.

OCTOBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Robby Anderson proving he's more than just a deep threat

Robby Anderson is proving he’s more than just a deep threat

OCTOBER 21, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Remains limited at practice Samuel (knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Jonathan M. Alexander of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Samuel's practice reps were capped last week before he was deemed inactive Sunday against the Bears. He seems to be in a similar spot this week, but he has two more chances to prove his health to the Panthers' training staff. Another absence from Samuel this Sunday at New Orleans would mean more offensive snaps for Seth Roberts and Pharoh Cooper.

OCTOBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Carolina Panthers could use McCaffrey's help in red zone

The Carolina Panthers are struggling in the red zone and really miss Christian McCaffrey

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Foles, stingy defense lead Bears past Panthers 23-16

Nick Foles threw for one touchdown and ran for another, Chicago’s defense forced three turnovers and sacked Teddy Bridgewater four times and the Bears held on to beat the Carolina...

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tampa Bay's Godwin, Green Bay's Adams return from injuries

Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin and Green Bay’s Davante Adams are back in the lineup after missing time because of hamstring injuries

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sidelined Week 6 Samuel (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against Washington, Myles Simmons of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Per a report from David Newton of ESPN.com earlier Sunday, Samuel was expected to suit up, but in the interim the Panthers have opted to keep him sidelined due to the knee concern that limited him in practice this week. In Samuel's absence, Seth Roberts and Pharoh Cooper will fill in behind starting wide receivers DJ Moore and Robby Anderson.

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Slated to play Sunday Samuel (knee) is expected to play Sunday against the Bears, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Samuel was listed as a limited participant in practice all week with a knee injury, but it doesn't appear as if it'll be a hinderance to his ability to suit up. Assuming the Panthers deem him active, he'll serve as the team's No. 3 wide receiver and occasionally take snaps out of the backfield when Mike Davis needs a break.

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Deemed questionable Samuel (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears.

Impact There hasn't been any suggestion Samuel's knee injury is serious, but it's possible he's treated as a game-time decision, considering he never made it to full practice participation this week. He was a limited participant Wednesday through Friday, dealing with an injury that appears to have been picked up in last week's win over the Falcons. Samuel had five catches for 36 yards and four carries for 28 yards in that contest, primarily serving as the No. 3 receiver but also taking some snaps in the backfield to give Mike Davis a breather.

OCTOBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Gets in limited practice Samuel (knee) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Near the tail end of last season, Samuel tended to a knee injury in advance of two different games but still suited up. On this occasion, the Panthers capped his practice reps for a second day in a row, leaving him one more opportunity to elevate to full participation. During Christian McCaffrey's (ankle) absence, Samuel has been used as both a pass catcher and rusher, but he's only surpassed 50 yards from scrimmage two times and has no touchdowns through five contests.

OCTOBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited by knee Samuel (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Samuel has received the occasional carry during Christian McCaffrey's (ankle) three-game absence, helping him total 22 touches during that span after accounting for 12 in the first two contests of the season. Still, Mike Davis is the unquestioned lead back for the Panthers at the moment, and D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson are a bit more active in the passing game, making Samuel a bit player in the offense.

OCTOBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Under Rhule, Panthers playing like 'brothers,' winning games

When Brian Burns stripped Matt Ryan of the football, Juston Burris had an open lane to the end zone

OCTOBER 12, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Season-high nine touches in win Samuel caught all five of his targets for 36 receiving yards, adding four rushes for 28 yards during Sunday's 23-16 win against the Falcons.

Impact The 2017 second-round draft choice established new season highs in offensive touches and scrimmage yards, as the Panthers defeated the Falcons for the first time since Week 9 of Samuel's rookie campaign. Robby Anderson (13 targets) and Mike Davis (10) accounted for over 65 percent of the passing-game looks, but it's also notable that Samuel tied D.J. Moore for third on the team in targets. Tampa Bay was able to spread the ball around against Chicago by ushering four different players to 40-plus receiving yards in a Week 5 loss. Samuel and Carolina have the opportunity to do the same against the Bears, especially given that QB Teddy Bridgewater has logged 26 completions and 292 passing yards per game this season.

OCTOBER 12, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

HIGHLIGHT: Teddy Bridgewater threads third-down throw to Curtis Samuel Samuel made three receptions on third down in Carolina's scoring drive in the first quarter.

OCTOBER 11, 2020 • PANTHERS.COM

Panthers OC Joe Brady: WR Curtis Samuel playing at an 'extremely high level' Perhaps nobody exemplifies that more than Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel.

OCTOBER 8, 2020 • USATODAY.COM

Bridgewater's patience, accuracy paying off in Carolina

Teddy Bridgewater’s patience is paying off in Carolina

OCTOBER 7, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Another five touches Samuel caught three of four targets for 51 yards in Sunday's 31-21 win over the Cardinals. He also lost three yards on two carries.

Impact Samuel hauled in a pass of 24 yards for the second straight week, tying for Carolina's longest play of Sunday's game. That contribution helped Samuel place second on the team in receiving yards despite ranking fifth in targets. With a couple of carries as well, the Panthers continued to use Samuel in a variety of ways, but he failed to make a positive impact on the ground. Through four games this season, Samuel has totaled 25 touches for 182 yards but is yet to score a touchdown, capping his value as he seeks more impactful plays.

OCTOBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Garners eight touches Samuel caught all four of his targets for 45 yards and rushed four times for seven yards in Sunday's 21-16 win over the Chargers.

Impact Samuel went for a 24-yard gain early in the game, marking his longest play of this season. That contribution helped Samuel post his highest yardage total through three weeks, as he again was involved both in the air and on the ground. With Christian McCaffrey (ankle) sidelined, Samuel garnered four carries for the second game in a row, and although he struggled to get anything going from those touches, his eight overall trailed only replacement tailback Mike Davis' 21 among Carolina's skill-position players. As the Panthers aim to compensate for McCaffrey's absence, Samuel could continue to garner more usage as a gadget weapon on offense in Week 4 versus the Cardinals.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Curtis Samuel addresses his involvement in the game plan Samuel spoke about his touches as a runner and reiterated his position as a wide receiver.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • PANTHERS.COM

More involvement on tap Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady said Thursday that he wants to get Samuel more involved in Carolina's future game plans, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports. "Good...

Impact Samuel has taken on offensive snap shares north of 70 percent in both of Carolina's first two games of the season, logging 10 targets and five rushing attempts between the two contests. While Samuel may continue taking a back seat to D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson in the passing game, he could be a candidate to take on more work as a runner as the Panthers look to replace star back Christian McCaffrey (ankle), who is expected to miss the next 4-to-6 weeks. Mike Davis is in line to start at running back Week 3 against the Chargers, but he likely won't be asked to take on as much volume as McCaffrey has handled as a runner and pass catcher over the past couple of seasons. With that in mind, Samuel could emerge as a de facto change-of-pace option behind Davis, as the 24-year-old has proven adept as a ballcarrier in limited opportunities thus far during his career. Over his three-plus seasons in the NFL, Samuel has carried 36 times for 309 yards (8.6 average) and three touchdowns.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

More runner than receiver in loss Samuel secured both of his targets for 13 yards and added four rushes for 26 yards in the Panthers' 31-17 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Impact The speedy wideout put together a modest receiving day for the second time in as many games to open the campaign, but he rather surprisingly saw an uptick in rushing work. New offensive coordinator Joe Brady may simply be experimenting with ways to get the ball in the talented Samuel's hands, but the fact the third-year pro has been only a minimal subject of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's attention through their first pair of games together has to be disappointing to fantasy managers. Samuel will look to up his involvement in the passing game in a Week 3 inter-conference road tilt against the Chargers.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Brady, Fournette lead Bucs over Panthers 31-17

Tom Brady got his first win with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, throwing for 217 yards, one touchdown and an interception in a 31-17 victory over the Carolina Panthers

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

FANTASY PLAYS: Players to add include Hines, Snell, Watkins

FANTASY PLAYS: Players to add for Week 2 include running backs Nyheim Hines of Indianapolis, Benny Snell Jr. of Pittsburgh and wide receiver Sammy Watkins of Kansas City

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS