Although Samie Parker has not returned a punt in his four-year NFL career, he might be asked to do so tonight for the Carolina Panthers in their exhibition finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Parker, signed by the Panthers on Tuesday after injuries continued to plow through the team's receiver and kick returning corps, caught 110 passes for 1,529 yards and seven touchdowns in four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.
He didn't need to return punts or kickoffs, since the Chiefs had one of the game's best – Dante Hall – doing that.
“The guy in front of me was going to the Pro Bowl,” said Parker, who was cut by Denver on Monday. “But we'd talk a lot. He had a different ability than I have. I can run; he had more agility and speed. He could stop and start at the same speed, where it takes me a bit longer to get my speed started.
“And his vision … I'd try to see what he's seeing and it was more difficult for me. His vision was totally different.”
Parker spent much of Wednesday's practice lining up with the second-team offense.
He carried around a piece of paper with the Panthers' plays written on it.
Briefly
General manager
Marty Hurney said the Panthers aren't interested in picking up cornerback
Ricky Manning Jr., a former Panther who was released Tuesday by Chicago.
That could change this weekend, when teams make final cuts and the Panthers might have a different view of their secondary.
Receivers
D.J. Hackett (toe) and
Ryne Robinson (knee) missed practice Wednesday and won't play tonight.
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