Panther Reunite with Old Vikings WR
The Carolina Panthers were in the market this week for an additional wide receiver, and they didn’t have to look very far around the NFL, adding a familiar face in Dan Chisena, who, once upon a time, began his career with the Minnesota Vikings.
One former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver got the call from the Carolina Panthers this week and will head back to the NFC South.
Chisena will hit Carolina’s practice squad and be one teammate injury away from a gameday call-up — probably special teams duty.
Panthers Tab Ex-Vikings Wideout Dan Chisena for Practice Squad
It’s a revolving door for Chisena in Carolina.
Dan Chisena to Panthers
Chisena auditioned for Carolina’s roster on Monday, and one day later, the Panthers’ brass locked in the transaction.
Panthers.com‘s Darin Gantt wrote, “The Panthers brought back a familiar face at wide receiver on Tuesday. The team signed veteran wideout Dan Chisena to the practice squad. He was here last season and throughout training camp, but was released in July after a nagging calf injury kept him off the field. But he’s healthy and back now.”
“Chisena caught his first three NFL passes last season. He’s in his sixth season in the league and has been a solid special teams player throughout his career with the Vikings, Steelers, Cardinals, and Ravens. To make room for him on the practice squad, they released defensive tackle Tommy Akingbesote from the practice squad.”
The man with 4.32 speed is back in the mix with Dave Canales’ team.
A Quick Reunion
Chisena began his Carolina stint in October 2024, and the franchise liked enough of what it saw to re-up with the speedster in free agency six months ago. The Penn State alumnus then battled for a roster spot at training camp, a situation cut short by injury when Carolina released him late August.
Until now, Chisena bided his time for a new employer. That just so happened to be the old squad. Chisena was removed from Panthers’ activities for 56 days — or eight weeks.
Chisena’s Resume in the NFL
Here’s Chisena’s busy NFL resume since former Vikings boss Rick Spielman found him via undrafted free agency in 2020:
- Minnesota Vikings (2020–2022)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2023)
- Minnesota Vikings (2023)
- Arizona Cardinals (2023)
- Baltimore Ravens (2023)
- Arizona Cardinals (2024)
- Carolina Panthers (2024–now)
Chisena has caught 3 passes in his career for 37 yards — all with the Panthers. He’s more of a special teams gunner than a tried-and-true wide receiver.
This is the Panthers’ WR stable with Chisena back in the house:
- Tetairoa McMillan
- Jalen Coker (IR)
- Xavier Legette
- Hunter Renfrow
- David Moore
- Jimmy Horn Jr.
- Brycen Tremayne
- Dalevon Campbell
- Ja’seem Reed (Practice Squad)
- Ainias Smith (Practice Squad)
- Dan Chisena (Practice Squad)
Time with the Vikings
When Mike Zimmer ran the show in Minnesota, Chisena netted playing time in 25 games, including 471 snaps on special teams, with 11 offensive plays.
In 2022 with Kevin O’Connell in charge, however, Chisena’s special teams role was clearly reduced, seeing snaps just 24 times early in the season in games against the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders. After an activation from the practice squad in 2023, that was it for Chisena on the 53-man roster. Minnesota cut him loose for good in November 2023.
Chisena participated in all 12 of the Nittany Lions’ games as a senior and grabbed three passes for 66 yards. In Minnesota, Chisena was renowned for his special teams and speed.
Panthers-Themed Media on the Recent Win over ATL
The Panthers surprisingly took down the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3 — in dominant fashion — and the tide seems to have turned on Chisena’s new quarterback, Bryce Young.
Charlotte Observer‘s Mike Kaye wrote about Young after Week 3: “Young didn’t put up explosive stats in a blowout win. So what? He did his job, and he did it well. He avoided turnovers, used his legs and led five scoring drives.”
“While he had the occasional blip in the accuracy department, he was smart with his targets. His game-manager-like performance was what Carolina needed on Sunday, and it worked. With the defense clamping down on Atlanta, Young could simply make the most of what the Falcons gave him to work with.”
Carolina now has a 1-2 record entering Week 4.
“Young wasn’t electric, but he was efficient, and that allowed Canales to be thoughtful with his play-calling and game-management approaches. Overall, the Panthers offense had 121 passing yards and 111 rushing yards,” Kaye added.
“Young had an excellent scramble for a touchdown, too. With two picks and a touchdown from the defense, that was more than enough for the Panthers QB.”
Chisena will turn 29 next offseason.
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