Free-agent wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. is signing with the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN reporter Brady Henderson. Shenault was originally a second-round pick in 2020 by the Jacksonville Jaguars out of Colorado, but he has not found his footing over the first four seasons of his career. The 25-year-old posted at least 600 receiving yards in each of his two seasons with the Jagaurs but totaled just 332 yards in 21 games during his two-year stint with the Carolina Panthers. With DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the roster, it'd be a big surprise if he's a fantasy-relevant player in 2024. Assuming he makes the 53-man roster, he'll likely be utilized as a depth player and a special teamer.
The Carolina Panthers placed wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (ankle) on Injured Reserve on Thursday, which means he'll have to miss at least the next four games. With just six games remaining in the regular season, there's a good chance Shenault has played his last game in 2023. The 25-year-old suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 6 but only missed three games with a bye mixed in. However, Shenault suffered a new ankle injury in the Week 12 loss to the Tennessee Titans and will now miss at least the next four games. He hasn't been on the fantasy radar this year with only 10 receptions for 60 yards while adding 12 carries for 55 yards. With Shenault out, Terrace Marshall Jr. has the clearest path to WR4 duties in Carolina behind Adam Thielen, DJ Chark Jr. and rookie Jonathan Mingo.
Laviska Shenault Jr., Tommy Tremble Absent From Practice
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (ankle) and tight end Tommy Tremble (hip) missed practice on Wednesday. Both players were ruled out in Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans, with Shenault tweaking his ankle while Tremble injured his hip. With a few more practices left ahead of Sunday's meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there's a chance they could practice, at least in a limited capacity. However, neither Tremble nor Shenault have done much this season in terms of production, so their statuses won't impact managers either way.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (ankle) didn't return to the Week 12 loss the Titans. The wideout returned briefly after sustaining an ankle injury. However, he was eventually ruled out, finishing the day with one catch for eight yards. Shenault hasn't been much of a factor for fantasy managers throughout the 2023-24 campaign, catching only nine passes for 52 yards. Considering he's been banged up of late, there's a chance he won't play in Week 13 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That said, his absence will have a minimal impact on anything outside of the special teams unit.
Laviska Shenault Jr. Returns, Terrace Marshall Jr. Inactive
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (ankle) is officially active for the Week 11 game against the visiting Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. As a result, Terrace Marshall Jr. will be a healthy scratch. Shenault was listed as questionable for this one, but the 25-year-old will make his return after a three-game absence. Still, he's well off the fantasy radar and could be eased back into the offense as a depth option behind wideouts Adam Thielen and rookie Jonathan Mingo. Given how bad Carolina's offense has been in 2023 with rookie quarterback Bryce Young at the helm, only Thielen has been a consistent fantasy option this year. Shenault has just seven catches for 43 yards and no touchdowns in six games so far this season.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (ankle) returned to a full practice on Friday but remains questionable to play in Week 11 against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Shenault has a chance to return to action this weekend after missing the last three games. But if he does make it back to play against Dallas, the Panthers are prepared to limit his snaps, making him avoidable in all fantasy starting lineups as a depth option and nothing more. In six games played for the Panthers in 2023, the 25-year-old has hauled in all seven of his targets for just 43 yards and no touchdowns. Shenault remains off the fantasy radar for now.
Laviska Shenault Jr. Limited In Wednesday’s Practice
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (ankle) was a limited participant in the team's practice on Wednesday. Shenault has missed the last three games for the Panthers while nursing an ankle injury. But his limited practice reps to begin the week is a good sign for his availability in Week 11 against the Dallas Cowboys. He'll have two more chances to upgrade his practice status before Sunday's game. Even if he suits up, though, he should likely only be started in extremely deep leagues. The 25-year-old wideout has just seven catches for 43 yards on the year.
DJ Chark Jr. Doubtful, Laviska Shenault Jr. Out For Week 10
Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (elbow) is being listed as doubtful for the Thursday night game against the Chicago Bears, while wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (ankle) has been ruled out again. Chark was questionable to play in Week 9 with his elbow injury but managed to suit up and catch a touchdown in the loss to the Indianapolis Colts. However, on a short week, the 27-year-old is most likely going to sit Thursday night's game out against Chicago. It means that rookie Jonathan Mingo will be the No. 2 wideout for Carolina behind target hog Adam Thielen, while Terrace Marshall Jr. should also have an expanded role. Still, it's hard to trust any Panthers pass-catcher beyond Thielen this year given the inconsistent nature of this offense that's led by rookie quarterback Bryce Young.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (ankle) did not practice on Tuesday, making it two straight missed practices to open the week as his team prepares to face the Chicago Bears in Week 10's Thursday game. Shenault is dealing with a high-ankle sprain that has kept him sidelined since Week 6. He is looking unlikely to be on the field again on Thursday when the Panthers and Bears kick things off. Shenault has compiled seven catches for 43 yards while adding 12 carries for 55 yards across six games in 2023.
Updating a previous item, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. The 25-year-old did not practice all week and has not seen action since suffering an ankle sprain in Week 6. So far in 2023, he has caught seven passes for 43 yards and logged 12 carries for 55 yards on the ground. While he is largely irrelevant for fantasy purposes, his absence in Week 9 will allow Jonathan Mingo and Terrace Marshall to soak up a few more snaps.
