The Carolina Panthers are not expected to tender restricted free agent wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. They are, however, open to re-signing him.
The Panthers acquired Smith-Marsette via a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs last preseason. It took him a while to get integrated into the offense, but he found himself a role, handling jet sweeps, screens, and some hand-offs in addition to serving as the team's punt returner.
He returned 37 punts for 322 yards and one touchdown while hauling in eight receptions for 51 yards and adding 74 yards and a score on the ground.
"He's a guy that's worked hard to get where he's at," said Panthers former interim head coach Chris Tabor. "Last year, he was a punt returner and those things but it's nice to see him have other value on offense and he stepped up and he's making plays. He's a good football player."
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