Panthers sign DJ Chark
The Carolina Panthers are signing wide receiver DJ Chark to a one-year deal, a source told Jordan Schultz, theScore's NFL insider.
Breaking: FA WR DJ Chark is signing with the #Panthers, source tells @theScore.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 24, 2023
I’m also told he’s fully healthy heading into 2023. Big, talented target at 6-4 who’s been a red-zone weapon for the #Jaguars and #Lions, while earning Pro Bowl honors in 2019. He joins Adam Thielen. pic.twitter.com/1hKwLtlhrg
The Panthers announced the move on Friday.
Chark spent 2022 with the Detroit Lions, finishing the campaign with 30 receptions, 502 yards, and three touchdowns in 11 games. He missed six games due to an ankle injury.
Chark bid farewell to the Lions on Twitter.
"The past year has been incredible for me," he wrote. "Signing with Detroit and meeting the great people of that organization was huge for me. Playing with my brothers and going from 1-6 to 9-8 was amazing! I believe transparency and honesty is everything. With that being said, this chance in Carolina is second to none! Can't wait to see what this journey holds for me!"
The 26-year-old previously spent four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, posting a career year in 2019 with 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns en route to earning a Pro Bowl berth.
Injuries have been an issue for the LSU product, who has yet to play a full season since entering the NFL as a second-round pick in 2018.
If healthy, Chark will presumably be one of Carolina's top wideouts. The Panthers, who traded D.J. Moore to the Chicago Bears as part of the deal to acquire the first overall pick in next month's draft, also recently signed veteran pass-catcher Adam Thielen. The team's wide receiver depth chart still features Terrace Marshall and Laviska Shenault, among others.