Ja’seem Reed is absolutely going off in Carolina Panthers training camp, but even a diving, fingertip touchdown grab on Sunday might not be enough to secure a spot on the 53-man roster. This dude is making highlight plays, getting noticed, and still sitting in a tier-three battle for survival. It’s brutal out there.
The Unsung Receiver Is Making Plays
Reed is definitely working to get noticed. On Sunday, this unsung wide receiver earned some serious extra attention during practice. He blazed down the far sideline on a “go” route, completely burning defensive backs Zakee Wheatley and Robert Rochelle. Quarterback Bryce Young lofted a beautiful downfield pass, and Reed made an insane play, diving out to snatch it with his fingertips in the end zone. The offensive players, who’d been struggling in the first two workouts, went wild celebrating that catch. Panthers coach Dave Canales gave him props too, telling reporters, “He’s consistent. He knows the concepts, he’s a really smart guy , and he’s been that way since we got him. A guy we have a lot of trust in. And then, he just keeps making plays.” Reed executed at least two other big-play catches that same day. When someone yelled “Nice practice” as he walked off the field, the former University of San Diego standout humbly replied, “Thank you … thank you.” This guy was a 2025 undrafted free agent who spent last July joining the Panthers and then the whole season on the practice squad, playing a secondary role during their NFC South-championship campaign. Now he’s making plays and still fighting for his job.
Carolina’s WR Room Is Absurdly Deep
Here’s the problem for Reed: less than two weeks before the preseason kicks off with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals on August 6, the Panthers’ wide receiver room is beyond loaded. We’re talking five guys who look like locks, barring injury: NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, rookie Chris Brazzell II, and veteran David Moore, who’s a known favorite of Coach Canales. Then there’s the second tier, where free agent John Metchie III, Jimmy Horn Jr., and special-teams standout Brycen Tremayne are all battling for inside tracks. One of those three is probably getting cut before the 53-man roster is finalized. Tremayne, for his part, showed some serious grit on Sunday too, beating safety Isaiah Simmons for a deep touchdown pass. Simmons shoved him from behind, sending him into electrical boxes bolted on the fence. Tremayne was like, “Oh, $#!%,” holding his shoulder, but later said, “I’m all right … I’m all right.” So yeah, Reed is a tier-three headliner, which means he has to keep making these insane, undeniable plays to elbow his way onto this crowded roster.
It’s a tough spot for Reed, but he’s showing up. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 6 is his next big chance to prove he belongs. Can he keep making the kind of plays that force the Panthers to keep him around? We’ll be watching!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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