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Panthers Make Decision On Former Miami Hurricanes 4-Star Running Back

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Oct 2, 2025 10:42 AM ET

Former Miami Hurricanes running back DeeJay Dallas is officially getting another NFL opportunity, this time with the Carolina Panthers.

Carolina announced on Wednesday that Dallas, a 2020 fourth-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks, has been promoted to the active roster. The Panthers signed Dallas to their practice squad in August, only days after the Arizona Cardinals waived him, just one year into a three-year contract.

Dallas, the No. 144 pick in 2020, has rushed for 517 yards and four touchdowns on 4.3 yards per attempt. The 27-year-old also totaled 64 catches, 407 receiving yards, and two touchdowns in five seasons.

However, Dallas has made his biggest impact on special teams, returning kicks for both Seattle and Arizona. While with the Cardinals, Dallas became the first player in league history to return a dynamic kick for a touchdown in a September 2024 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

THE FIRST DYNAMIC KICKOFF RETURN TOUCHDOWN.

DEEJAY DALLAS. 96 YARDS.

: #AZvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/COYfonnYxR
— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024

Dallas is familiar with Panthers head coach Dave Canales, who worked on the Seahawks’ offensive staff from 2010-22.

Carolina could be without running back Chuba Hubbard, who missed Wednesday’s practice with a calf injury, on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Hubbard has rushed for 217 yards and scored two receiving touchdowns through four games.

A consensus four-star prospect from Brunswick, Ga., Dallas rushed for 1,527 yards and 17 touchdowns on 5.8 yards per carry in three seasons at Miami. Although he enrolled as a receiver, Dallas moved to running back as a true freshman following Mark Walton’s season-ending ankle injury.

The Panthers also promoted safety Trevian Thomas, an undrafted rookie from Arkansas State, and signed offensive lineman Jake Curhan off Arizona’s practice squad. In corresponding moves, Carolina placed right guard Chandler Zavala (knee) and wide receiver David Moore (elbow) on injured reserve. Both will miss at least four games.

FanDuel Sportsbook listed the Panthers as +1.5 home underdogs (-115, meaning that a $100 bet results in a $186.96 payout) against the Dolphins as of Thursday morning.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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