There is early discussion that the Panthers will try to use Shenault as the Deebo Samuel of their offense, but we've heard these hopeful wishes before. Shenault is best left undrafted until he receives consistent volume.
Shenault caught both of his targets for 16 yards and rushed twice for five yards in Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Falcons.
Shenault played nearly a third of Carolina's offensive snaps while fellow receiver DJ Chark (hamstring) was sidelined. Although he holds some gadget utility, Shenault's tepid value could dip down if Chark returns for Week 2's matchup versus the Saints.
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Panthers' Laviska Shenault: Likely to see increased reps
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Shenault is expected to play more offensive snaps with DJ Chark (hamstring) out for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Adam Thielen (ankle) is also less than 100 percent and listed as questionable for Week 1, which could lead to Terrace Marshall and rookie Jonathan Mingo soaking up most of the wideout snaps. Shenault has been mentioned as a lite version of Deebo Samuel by the new Panthers coaching staff, but it would be unwise to expect a big box score out of the 2020 second-rounder in his temporary role as the team's third or fourth receiver.
Shenault said Wednesday he has fully cleared the league's five-step concussion protocol, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Shenault returned to practice as a non-contact participant Tuesday, and he's now gained full clearance. DJ Chark (hamstring) and Terrace Marshall (back) both also returned to practice Tuesday, so Carolina's receiving corps as a whole is approaching full health. In the event that either Chark or Marshall is still limited during the Sept. 10 season opener against the Falcons, Shenault would be in line for an expanded role. Otherwise, he stands to handle a versatile depth gig.
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Panthers' Laviska Shenault: Progressing in concussion protocol
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Coach Frank Reich said Tuesday that Shenault is progressing in the concussion protocol, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.
Shenault landed in the league's concussion protocol early last week but returned to practice in the red, no-contact jersey Tuesday. After making the Panthers' 53-man roster, Shenault will have a week and a half to recover before the team's regular-season opener in Atlanta on Sept. 10.
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Panthers' Laviska Shenault: Returns to field
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Shenault is donning the red, no-contact jersey during practice Tuesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Shenault is currently working his way through the league's concussion protocols and seems to be making solid progress in doing so with his return to the practice field. The fourth-year pro is expected to keep his spot on the roster and earn a depth role in the team's receiving corps.
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Panthers' Laviska Shenault: Return to practice imminent
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Shenault (concussion) said after Friday's preseason loss to the Lions that he expects to return to practice next week, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Under the NFL's concussion protocol, players aren't able to speak to the media until they gain clearance for all activity. Shenault didn't practice this week and also didn't suit up for preseason Week 3, but his words to Gantt indicate he may be out of the protocol, meaning his absence Friday may have been precautionary. Shenault is competing for one of the final WR spots on the Panthers roster, so getting in some drills sooner than later should help his cause.
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Panthers' Laviska Shenault: In concussion protocol
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Shenault was placed in the league's concussion protocol Monday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
The veteran wideout is competing for the fifth receiver job in Carolina, along with Shi Smith and Damiere Byrd. Shenault has no ties to the new coaching staff so won't be guaranteed anything. Across 29 offensive snaps this preseason, Shenault has zero catches on three targets.
Shenault has been doing individual drills with running backs during training camp, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Shenault has earned several carries each season he's been in the league, but as Carolina looks for more ways to get the ball in his hands, the 24-year-old could see more designed looks from the running back position. Gantt speculates that Shenault is going to "touch the ball a good bit this year," and during camp on Wednesday, he was lining up in two-back looks.
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Panthers' Laviska Shenault: Scores twice this season
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Shenault caught 27 of 32 targets for 272 yards and a touchdown in 13 games this season. He also rushed nine times for 65 yards and another score.
Shenault was traded from the Jaguars prior to Week 1. Although he was inactive for Carolina's first two games, Shenault scored a 67-yard touchdown on his team debut. While he had two more plays of 40-plus yards during the season, the strong-running Shenault didn't produce much overall as a reserve receiver in an underwhelming offense, enduring a dip after starting his career with consecutive campaigns of more than 650 scrimmage yards. With 2023 being the final year of his rookie contract, the former second-round pick will strive to expand his role, as the Panthers potentially introduce a new coaching staff and starting quarterback this offseason.
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Panthers' Laviska Shenault: Gets three touches
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Shenault caught two of three targets for 13 yards and rushed once for seven yards in Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Buccaneers.
Shenault struggled to make an impact while fellow depth wideout Shi Smith enjoyed his best game of the season, catching four targets for 70 yards and a score. To end the campaign, Shenault will face a Saints defense that he caught two passes for 90 yards and a touchdown against while making his Panthers debut in Week 3.
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Panthers' Laviska Shenault: Gets three looks
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Shenault caught all three of his targets for 53 yards in Week 16's 37-23 win over the Lions.
Shenault's output included a long gain of 43 yards. After finishing his last game with no touches, Shenault rebounded well Saturday and now sports three plays of 40-plus yards from his depth wideout role. With teammate Shi Smith's status uncertain after suffering foot and head injuries, Shenault could be more involved in Sunday's game at the Buccaneers, potentially boosting his value.
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Panthers' Laviska Shenault: No touches Sunday
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Shenault didn't catch his only target in Sunday's 24-16 loss to the Steelers.
Shenault suited up despite being listed with a shoulder injury during the week. Ultimately, though, he only featured for 13 offensive snaps, enabling Shi Smith to assume third-wideout duties for the Panthers.
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Panthers' Laviska Shenault: Cleared to play vs. Pittsburgh
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Shenault (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Shenault was listed as questionable heading into the weekend after the shoulder issue limited his participation in practices Wednesday through Friday, but the versatile wideout ultimately received the green light for Sunday. In the two games since Sam Darnold took over as Carolina's starting quarterback, Shenault has accrued six receptions for 50 yards on six targets while carrying twice for nine yards.
Shenault (shoulder) was limited at Thursday's practice.
For a second straight day, Shenault operated with a cap on his reps due to a shoulder issue. There's been no indication he's in danger of sitting out Sunday against the Steelers, a notion that may be confirmed as soon as the Panthers post their final Week 15 injury report Friday.
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Panthers' Laviska Shenault: Leads team in receiving
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Shenault caught all four of his targets for 31 yards and rushed once for seven yards in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Seahawks.
Shenault led Carolina in all major receiving categories, as starting wideouts DJ Moore and Terrace Marshall combined for just one catch for 18 yards. Although Shenault's production wasn't anything particularly special, he's grown into a more consistent role lately, garnering at least four touches in three of his last four outings. In an underwhelming passing attack, however, Shenault's overall stock remains restricted.
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Panthers' Laviska Shenault: Gets three touches
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Shenault caught both of his targets for 19 yards and rushed once for two yards in Sunday's 23-10 win over the Broncos.
Shenault trailed only starters DJ Moore and Terrace Marshall in snaps among Carolina's receivers, as teammate Shi Smith surprisingly didn't feature on offense at all. While Smith dealt with illness earlier in the week, the playing time distribution between he and Shenault could prove worthwhile to monitor once the Panthers return from their bye week.
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Panthers' Laviska Shenault: Makes four grabs
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Shenault caught all four of his targets for seven yards in Sunday's 13-3 loss to the Ravens.
Shenault played only 16 offensive snaps, contributing minimally after last week's 59 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Despite his big-play ability, Shenault's usage isn't consistent enough to offer very dependable weekly value.
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Panthers' Laviska Shenault: Scores in win
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Shenault caught three of four targets for 17 yards and rushed twice for 42 yards and a touchdown in Thursday night's 25-15 win over the Falcons.
Shenault took a lateral 41 yards to the house for the first touchdown of the game. He ultimately played nearly 40 percent of Carolina's offensive snaps, marking a big increase from Week 9 and trailing only starting wideouts DJ Moore and Terrace Marshall. Although his usage and playmaking has been sporadic since joining the Panthers this season, Shenault's versatility and upside was on display in Thursday's victory.
Shenault (illness) was a full participant in practice Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Shenault was a DNP on the team's estimated practice report Monday but with the team holding an actual practice Tuesday, he was able to participate in full. He should be good to go Thursday against the Falcons.
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Panthers' Laviska Shenault: Plays three snaps
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Shenault didn't catch his only target but rushed twice for six yards in Sunday's 42-21 loss to the Bengals.
Shenault was the focus of all three of his offensive snaps, but his limited playing time restricts his value going into Week 10's Thursday night game versus the Falcons.
