Smith-Wade (chest) is active for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Smith-Wade was unable to play against the Dolphins in Week 5 due to a chest injury, but he's been given the green light to play Sunday after logging full practices all week. The 2024 fifth-rounder has accumulated 10 tackles (nine solo) and a pick-six across four regular-season games.
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Panthers' Chau Smith-Wade: Questionable after full practices
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Smith-Wade (chest) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
Smith-Wade seems more likely than not to play after logging three full practices, but he's still listed on the injury report. The nickel cornerback sat out Carolina's Week 5 win over the Dolphins due to a chest injury.
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Panthers' Chau Smith-Wade: Out for Week 5
Rotowire
Smith-Wade (chest) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Smith-Wade didn't practice all week after sustaining a chest injury in the Panthers' Week 4 loss to the Patriots, so it's no surprise that he'll be sidelined Sunday. The second-year pro has impressed in his first season as a full-time starter, recording 10 total tackles and one pick-six through Carolina's first four games this season. While he's out in Week 5, Akayleb Evans and Corey Thornton could see increased reps with the Panthers' first-team defense.
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Panthers' Chau Smith-Wade: First career pick-six in Week 3
Rotowire
Smith-Wade recorded five total tackles (all solo) and one pick-six during Sunday's 30-0 win over the Falcons.
The second-year pro from Washington State has had a great start to his first season as a full-time starter in Carolina, recording eight total tackles and one pick-six across his first three games. He's expected to remain the Panthers' top slot corner in a Week 4 matchup against the Patriots.
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Panthers' Chau Smith-Wade: Back with the team for OTAs
Rotowire
Smith-Wade is participating in OTAs after going on injured reserve with an illness in December.
The 2024 fifth-round pick took over the slot corner role late in the season before coming down with the illness. Smith-Wade should be in line to man the role again in 2025.
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Panthers' Chau Smith-Wade: Out for Week 17
Rotowire
Smith-Wade (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bucs.
Smith-Wade has taken over as Carolina's slot corner in recent weeks and has started each of the last three games. With Jaycee Horn (wrist) listed as doubtful, the Panthers look like they'll be down two of their top three cornerbacks Sunday, leaving Michael Jackson, Dane Jackson and Caleb Farley atop the depth chart.
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Panthers' Chau Smith-Wade: Impresses in first NFL start
Rotowire
Smith-Wade recorded eight total tackles (five solo) in the Sunday's 40-7 loss to the Commanders.
Smith-Wade, a 2024 fifth-round pick out of Washington State, had played just 33 defensive snaps in five games prior to the Panthers' Week 7 loss. However, the rookie corner was thrust into Carolina's top slot corner position Sunday after the team released veteran Troy Hill Friday. Smith-Wade was one of the few bright spots on Carolina's defense, leading the team in total tackles while playing 34 defensive snaps. Expect the 22-year-old to continue serving as the Panthers' top slot corner in Week 8, when the team travels to Denver.
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Panthers' Chau Smith-Wade: Activated off PUP list
Rotowire
The Panthers activated Smith-Wade off the active/PUP list Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Smith-Wade was placed on the PUP list Saturday but is now healthy once again. The rookie fifth-round pick will now look to compete for a role as a reserve defensive back.
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Panthers' Chau Smith-Wade: Added to PUP list
Rotowire
Carolina placed Smith-Wade (undisclosed) on the active/PUP list Saturday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Smith-Wade's placement on the list comes as a surprise, as he was healthy for the Panthers' OTAs. The nature of the rookie fifth-round pick's injury is unclear at this time. Smith-Wade can be activated at any point during the preseason, at which time he'd be eligible to practice and play in exhibition contests.
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Panthers' Chau Smith-Wade: Depth piece in Carolina
Rotowire
The Panthers selected Smith-Wade in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 157th overall.
Smith-Wade is likely too undersized (5-foot-10, 184 pounds) to play on the outside at the professional level, but bumping him into the slot might mask some of his lesser athletic traits (4.54 40-yard dash). A two-year starter at Washington State, Smith-Wade will be afforded every opportunity to grow into whatever role the team expects him to take, as the Panthers certainly appear top heavy at the majority of the starting secondary spots.
