The mystery of the Panthers 50th roster spot is no more. After much speculation of the possibility that one of the Panthers injured reserve players, could be returning to action, Michigan instead opted to sign a pair of fresh legs for the final three weeks of the season. The Panthers signed D.J. Montgomery, out of Austin Peay a veteran of 4 NFL teams from 2019-2022.
After a JuCo stint at Holmes Community College, Montgomery would play at Austin Peay for Two seasons totaling 61 receptions and 1,025 Receiving Yards before declaring for the 2019 NFL Draft. Montgomery would go undrafted in 2019, however signed with the Browns in May of 2019, but would have his season cut short due to a Hamstring injury. After getting waived by the Browns in 2020, Montgomery signed with the Jets spending the season on the practice squad.
In 2021, Montgomery would be elevated for Three games recording 3 receptions for 36 yards while also playing a reserve role on special teams for the Green and White. In May of 2022, Montgomery was released by New York and would have stints with the Colts and Texans before not being offered a futures contract in 2023.
Montgomery serves as a late season reinforcement, as the team has released Whop Philyor and Ish Hyman in the past couple weeks. With WR Marcus Simms also suffering an injury in Week 7, Montgomery could be thrust into action a bit quicker than expected as Michigan makes their final playoff push over the next three weeks. With the constantly looking to improve the transaction to have Montgomery join the team, give the Panthers an athletic, shifty Wide Receiver, with NFL experience to aid the Panthers dominate Receiving Corps against arguably the toughest part of Michigan’s schedule.
