With the Carolina Panthers looking for one of their players to take the lead on punt return duties, wideout Marquez Stevenson seemed likely to factor into the team’s decision-making process this summer. But a decision has already been made on his behalf, just one day into training camp.
As announced on Wednesday evening, the Panthers have parted ways the 25-year-old receiver. Stevenson, who did not participate in this morning’s practice, was waived with a failed physical designation.
A Shreveport. La. native, Stevenson played his college ball at the University of Houston from 2016 to 2020, where he was a two-time First-team All-AAC selection. He cracked into the NFL as sixth-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2021.
There, the speedy 5-foot-10, 180-pounder stuck on as a return man during his rookie campaign. He fielded 14 punts and seven kickoffs over five games.
Following his release from Buffalo and a brief stint on the Cleveland Browns practice squad in 2022, Stevenson signed on with the Panthers as one of six free agents on May 16, 2023.
