Ulcerative Colitis Kept Hunter Renfrow Out Of NFL In 2024
New Carolina Panthers wide receiver Hunter Renfrow didn't play at all in 2024 after being released by the Las Vegas Raiders while being treated for ulcerative colitis, which caused him to drop from 185 pounds to 150 pounds. Renfrow had a stretch of seven straight days with a fever of 103 degrees, and the 29-year-old wondered if he'd ever play football again after disappointing seasons in both 2022 and 2023. He made the Pro Bowl in 2021 by catching a career-high 103 passes for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns but took a month off after the Pro Bowl because he felt "kind of tired." Renfrow signed a two-year, $32 million deal the next offseason, right before he started feeling really bad. The good news is he's back up to 185 pounds and will try to provide receiving depth in Carolina behind Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen and rookie first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan in 2025.
Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow signed an undisclosed deal with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. After a year away from the NFL, the ex-Pro Bowler and Clemson star will link up with his hometown team after the NFL draft. In his last season in the league in 2023, the former fifth-round pick (149th overall) caught a career-low 25 passes on 37 targets for 255 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games (three starts) with the Raiders. Renfrow made his one and only Pro Bowl in 2021, when he set career-highs in catches (103), targets (128), receiving yards (1,038) and touchdowns (nine) in 17 games (nine starts). The 29-year-old pass-catcher will give the Panthers another veteran wideout alongside Adam Thielen, but if Carolina's receiving corps stays healthy, he'll likely be the WR4, at best, behind Thielen, Xavier Legette and rookie Tetairoa McMillan.
In addition to visiting with his former team, the Las Vegas Raiders, free-agent wide receiver Hunter Renfrow took a visit with the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Renfrow has 269 catches for 2,884 yards and 17 touchdowns in his five NFL seasons with the Raiders but did not play at all in 2024 after Vegas released him last March. The 29-year-old pass-catcher was a first-time Pro Bowler back in 2021, when he had 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games (nine starts). If Renfrow were to land in Carolina, he'd provide the Panthers with an experienced veteran that would serve in a depth role behind the likes of Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen, Jalen Coker and David Moore.
Free-agent wide receiver Hunter Renfrow is reportedly visiting with the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday. Renfrow also visited with the Carolina Panthers earlier in the week as the 29-year-old is attempting a comeback. Renfrow last played with the Raiders in 2023, but he put up career-lows during that season. Renfrow has seen his stats take a dramatic dip since his 100-catch season in 2021. The veteran wideout has proven to be a reliable slot receiver during his career. He could be an interesting option for the Raiders who need depth at the position.
Free-agent wide receiver Hunter Renfrow has been unsigned all season following his final year with the Las Vegas Raiders, which saw him catch 25 passes for 255 yards and no touchdowns in 2023. The former Clemson wideout posted 1,038 receiving yards in 2021 but battled through injuries in 2022 and never returned to form. Renfrow's name came up as a potential target for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the team lost Chris Godwin (ankle) to a serious ankle injury. However, Bucs insider Greg Auman checked on the situation and said he'd classify Renfrow as "retired" rather than "unsigned." Renfrow has not formally announced his retirement, but it could explain why he has not joined an organization in any capacity this season. If Renfrow has played his last snap in the NFL, he will finish with a total of 269 catches for 2,884 yards and 17 touchdowns across 73 career games.
According to Brad Stainbrook of the Orange and Brown Report, the Cleveland Browns aren't interested in signing free-agent wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. There was talk Cleveland would look to sign the wideout, considering his ties to quarterback Deshaun Watson. However, that isn't the case, although Stainbrook believes both sides could "revisit" things once training camp draws closer. Renfrow had logged five seasons with the Raiders after the team selected him in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He appeared in 73 games for the club, amassing 269 catches for 2,884 yards and 17 touchdowns. Unfortunately, his production declined in the last few seasons. At any rate, Renfrow might get some calls from teams around the National Football League over the summer. But he has a way to go before earning a spot on fantasy rosters.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns could consider signing free-agent wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. However, Cabot added that Cleveland might only sign the 28-year-old if Deshaun Watson, his former collegiate teammate, requests it. Renfrow played his entire career with the Raiders before the team released him in March in a cost-cutting move. His best season was in 2021 when he had 103 catches for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns. But his production declined significantly over the last few seasons. With that said, the Browns already have Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy on the roster, meaning there may not be enough targets for others. Yet, Renfrow has a rapport with Watson, so he could be capable of playing better than he did at the end of his tenure in Vegas.
The Las Vegas Raiders are releasing wide receiver Hunter Renfrow when the new league year begins later on Wednesday, according to a source. Renfrow was to count $13.7 million against the 2024 salary cap. Along with Renfrow, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is being released, as expected. The move to cut Renfrow saves the Raiders $8.21 million in cap space this year. The 28-year-old veteran had a career year in 2021 by catching 103 passes for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns, but he had just 61 combined receptions for 585 yards and two touchdowns in 27 games the last two years, making him an easy salary cap casualty this year. Depending on what other additions Vegas makes at the receiver position, Tre Tucker currently stands to benefit as the team's No. 3 wideout with the subtraction of Renfrow, behind top receivers Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers.
The Athletic's Tashan Reed suggests that Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow is a cut candidate this offseason. Renfrow was excellent in 2021, was named a Pro Bowler and was rewarded with a two-year, $32.3 million contract extension the following offseason that felt like a no-brainer at the time. But the extension has aged poorly. Renfrow couldn't stay healthy in 2022, played a career-low 35 percent of the offensive snaps last year, and has made just 61 catches since signing his extension. The Raiders would save around $8.1 million while taking a dead-money hit of $5.5 million if they cut or trade Renfrow before June 1. If they cut or trade him after June 1, they'll free up $11.8 million in salary cap space for 2024 while taking a dead-money hit of $1.8 million this year and a dead-money hit of $3.6 million in 2025.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow had zero catches on zero targets in the Week 6 win against the New England Patriots. It was the second time this season that Renfrow did not receive a single target. After catching one of two targets for seven yards in Week 5, Renfrow was completely uninvolved in the offense. The emergence of rookie tight end Michael Mayer has made it even more challenging for Renfrow to get involved. The usage of the former Pro Bowl wide receiver has been questionable, and it appears his future with the Raiders is also in doubt. Sources claim that Renfrow has been available on the trade block, and the team may move on from him. His usage may change with veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer filling in for the injured Jimmy Garoppolo, but it is unlikely. Despite a great matchup against the Chicago Bears in Week 7, Renfrow should not be rostered by fantasy managers, given his role in the offense.
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