Smith was Carolina's No. 3 receiver for most of last season but may be only sixth or seventh on the depth chart this spring, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Carolina drafted Jonathan Mingo in Round 2 after signing Adam Thielen, DJ Chark and Damiere Byrd in the offseason, with the latter potentially being direct competition for Smith's roster spot given that he has experience returning punts. Smith didn't do much on either offense or special teams while playing all 17 games last year, catching 22 passes on 482 offensive snaps and averaging 6.2 yards on 23 punt returns. The 2021 sixth-round pick now enters his third NFL season with job competition.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Role grows in second season
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Smith caught 22 of 41 targets for 296 yards and two touchdowns while playing all 17 games in the 2022 season.
Smith also handled punt-return duties, gaining 143 yards on his 23 attempts. Although he temporarily found himself in the dog house after fumbling in a Week 11 loss, Smith profiled as the Panthers' third wideout for most of the campaign. While that marked a promotion from his rookie season -- when he caught just six passes -- the team struggled in the passing game. Going into his third year, Smith will hope to maintain his role, but with a potentially new coaching staff and quarterback combination in Carolina, it wouldn't be surprising if he needs to climb from a depth role all over again.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Strong performance in Week 17 loss
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Smith secured all four targets for 70 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers' 30-24 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.
The second-year wideout recorded a season high in receiving yardage while also tying his high-water mark in receptions. Smith's second touchdown of the season came on a 19-yard grab early in the fourth quarter to extend the Panthers' lead to 11 points at the time. While Sunday's loss eliminated Carolina from playoff contention, Smith will have a chance to build on his solid effort in a Week 18 road matchup against the Saints.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Logs partial activity Wednesday
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Smith (foot) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Smith left Saturday's win over the Lions with an apparent foot injury, and he's since practiced in limited fashion Wednesday. If the second-year pro is eventually unable to gain medical clearance prior to Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, then DJ Moore would likely handle punt-returning duties, while both Laviska Shenault and Terrace Marshall would presumably be called upon to command expanded pass-catching roles this weekend.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Getting MRI on foot
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Smith (foot) is getting an MRI on Tuesday, Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer reports.
Smith suffered a foot injury during Saturday's win over the Lions, and the results of his MRI should reveal the severity of the issue. If Smith isn't available versus the Buccaneers in Week 17 it would not only hurt Carolina's receiving depth, but the team could have to rely on DJ Moore to return punts.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Questionable to return
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Smith (foot/head) is questionable to return to Saturday's game versus Detroit, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.
Smith caught one of two targets for 17 yards before exiting with separate foot and head injuries, though it's unclear when or how these issues first arose. With Rashard Higgins (coach's decision) already inactive, the Panthers will be left with three available wideouts for the time being.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Catches first touchdown
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Smith caught both of his targets for 17 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Seahawks.
Smith scored for the first time in his career with a 13-yard reception during the first quarter. After having his role reduced last week, Smith played a third of Carolina's offensive snaps Sunday and did well to stake his claim for similar playing time in Week 15 versus Pittsburgh.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Cleared to play in Week 12
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Smith (illness) practiced fully Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Smith missed practice Wednesday and Thursday due to an illness but has recovered in time to get the green light for Sunday's game against Denver. He was called out by the coaching staff for fumbling on a punt return in the Week 11 loss to Baltimore, but Smith doesn't appear to have been demoted from that special-teams role. He also plays regularly on offense, though his impact has been limited, as Smith has topped 30 receiving yards only once in 2022.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Remains questionable
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Smith (illness) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday's practice report.
Smith was also unable to practice Wednesday, giving him back-to-back DNP's ahead of Sunday's contest with the Broncos. With Terrace Marshall (shoulder) also questionable for Week 12, the Panthers could be depleted at wide receiver come game time.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Catches lone look
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Smith caught his only target for a 17-yard gain in Thursday night's 25-15 win over the Falcons.
Smith made his usual contribution, as he now sports 10 catches through 10 games this season. On Thursday, though, he was out-snapped by Laviska Shenault, who totaled five touches for 59 yards and a touchdown. While Shenault holds more explosive upside than Smith, the latter has at least makes the stat sheet as a depth pass catcher each week.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Makes one grab
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Smith caught one of two targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 42-21 loss to the Bengals.
Smith played 80 percent of Carolina's offensive snaps. While that involvement helps his fantasy relevancy, Smith has managed more than one catch in only two of his nine appearances thus far, capping his value.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Quiet day
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Smith failed to see a target in Sunday's 21-3 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Smith saw his second lowest snap total of the season while being on the field for 50 percent of the team's offensive plays, despite the trade of Robbie Anderson to the Cardinals. This was also his second straight game without a catch, leaving him stuck at eight receptions for 105 yards on the season. He also had a punt return for zero yards. He'll work to get more involved in a friendlier fantasy matchup in Week 8 against the Falcons.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Questionable with groin injury
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Smith (groin) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Smith was a late addition to the injury report after missing practice entirely Friday, but coach Matt Rhule described Smith as on the "positive" side of questionable, per David Newton of ESPN. His absence would be significant because Smith played a starting role in Carolina's season opener and was expected to return punts this week. If Smith sits out Sunday, Laviska Shenault or DJ Moore would be the leading candidates to be the Panthers' punt returner, while Terrace Marshall or Rashard Higgins could step up as the No. 3 receiver.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Set to take over punt-return duties
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Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Wednesday that Smith will operate as the team's primary punt returner while Andre Roberts (knee) is on injured reserve, Schuyler Callihan of SI.com reprots.
Roberts was diagnosed with a PCL sprain and will be forced to miss at least four games after landing on IR, leaving Smith to take over as the punt returner and Chuba Hubbard to handle kick returns. Smith didn't return any punts as a rookie, but his skill set figures to fit the position well.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Serves as third wideout
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Smith caught one of three targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 26-24 loss to the Browns.
Smith played over 75 percent of Carolina's offensive snaps, while neither Terrace Marshall nor Rashard Higgins saw the field despite being active. While DJ Moore and Robbie Anderson are undoubtedly the Panthers' top two wideouts, the team's No. 3 could wind up providing some value as well if one of Smith, Marshall or Higgins can decisively claim the job.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Expected to start Friday
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Smith is expected to start Friday's preseason finale against the Bills, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
With the Panthers' top wideouts periodically dealing with injuries, Smith has continued to get opportunities with the starters and has been a standout during training camp. He'll look to continue his strong play during Carolina's final exhibition game, though it's unclear if he'll be able to work his way past Rashard Higgins and Terrace Marshall on the depth chart.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Catches one pass
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Smith caught one of two targets for eight yards in Friday's 20-10 preseason loss to the Patriots.
Smith also returned one punt for 15 yards. With fellow wideouts DJ Moore (shoulder), Robbie Anderson (quadriceps) and Terrace Marshall (hamstring) currently sidelined, Smith has gotten run with the Panthers' starting offense. In doing so, he's been a standout during practice, Augusta Stone of the team's official site reports, and Smith caught two targets for 34 yards from quarterback Baker Mayfield in Carolina's opening preseason game. Although Friday's contest saw Smith make a small contribution while playing with reserve signal-callers P.J. Walker and Matt Corral, his performances to date appear likely to earn him a roster spot ahead of the upcoming campaign.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Working with first-team offense
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Smith continues to get extensive work in the slot with the first-team offense during training camp, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus reports.
With Terrace Marshall (lower leg) slowly working his way back to practice, Smith has carved out a role as the Panthers' top slot option. Per Kyed, the 2021 sixth-round pick continues to work with the starters and has made numerous standout plays during training camp. Smith likely still faces heavy competition for snaps with Marshall, a 2021 second-round pick, and veteran free-agent signee Rashard Higgins.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Competing for WR slotting
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Smith will compete for slotting this season behind Carolina's top two wide receivers, DJ Moore and Robbie Anderson, Ellis L. Williams of the Charlotte Observer reports.
Per Williams, Terrace Marshall is the early favorite to work alongside Moore and Anderson, but Rashard Higgins, Brandon Zylstra and Smith are also in the mix for the Panthers' complementary wide receiver reps. Smith was a sixth-round draft choice in 2021 and finished his rookie campaign with six catches for 104 yards while appearing in six contests. The 23-year-old, who has been present for the Panthers' OTAs, was among a handful of players sporting a red no-contact jersey during Tuesday's session, Fox Wilmington reports.
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Panthers' Shi Smith: Arrested on multiple charges
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Smith was arrested Friday on handgun and drug possession charges in addition to speeding, NFL.com reports.
Smith was reportedly stopped for going 31 miles per hour over the speed limit but is now facing three charges. He was released on bond, though what will come next for him remains to be seen.
