Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark will have plenty to prove during the upcoming 2023 campaign. But before he can even hit the field, he’ll have to prove that he’s healthy.
On Tuesday, head coach Frank Reich spoke with reporters at the Annual League Meeting from Phoenix, Ariz. and touched on one of his newest pass catchers. He said Chark, who agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal last Friday, recently underwent ankle surgery and could be ready for organized team activities.
Reich said the hope is procedure will keep Chark from continuing to have some of the foot/ankle injuries he’s experienced.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) March 28, 2023
Chark suffered the first big setback to the ankle during his final season with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021, sustaining a fractured ankle in the team’s Week 4 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. He’d miss the final 13 games of the year.
Then, he’d sit out for another six outings with the Detroit Lions in 2022 due to a Grade 2 sprain. Chark has appeared in a total of 15 games in the last two seasons—having amassed 37 receptions, 656 yards and five touchdowns.
The Panthers are scheduled to begin OTAs on May 23.
