Panthers move return specialist Andre Roberts to IR

Signed as a free agent this offseason, Roberts was available for three returns in his Carolina debut. But a PCL sprain will halt his season, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Although Roberts would be eligible to return after four games, he is likely looking at a longer absence.

The former Cardinals third-round pick has become a return-man hired gun as his career has progressed. The Panthers are Roberts’ ninth team. He has made a considerable impact as a special-teamer over the past several years, having been named to three Pro Bowl squads and having been named a first- or second-team All-Pro three times as well.

Carolina added Roberts on a one-year, $1.75M deal this offseason. Roberts, 34, led the league in kick-return yardage (1,010) last season and notched his sixth career return score. Shortly after signing with the Chargers during the 2021 campaign, Roberts returned a kick for a touchdown. He has three punt-return TDs and three kick-return scores as a pro. All of those plays have come since the 2015 season. The Panthers used Roberts in both return spots Sunday.