Giovanni Ricci - Page 2 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Heads to IR The Panthers placed Ricci (shoulder) on injured reserve Tuesday.

Impact Ricci was ruled out for the Panthers' Week 6 contest against the Dolphins after aggravating his shoulder injury during practice. The third-year tight end from Western Michigan has played mostly on special teams with the emergence of rookie Sam LaPorta. Ricci will now miss at least the next four games and will be eligible to return in Week 12 against the titans on Nov. 26.

OCTOBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sticking with the Panthers Carolina signed Ricci to a new contract Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Impact Ricci will now avoid becoming an exclusive-rights free agent heading into this coming offseason. The 26-year-old fullback served as a core special-teamer for the second season in a row in 2022, though he also added the first eight receptions of his career for 100 yards over 15 games. Ricci should will likely enter the 2023 regular season as the clear front-runner for the Panthers' starting fullback job.

JANUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sheds injury designation Ricci (neck) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Ricci has been out of action since Week 10, but after he was able to complete a limited practice Wednesday, the 26-year-old upgraded to a full participant Thursday. He should return to his starting fullback role Sunday against the Seahawks.

DECEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Limited Wednesday Ricci (neck) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Ricci hasn't played since Week 10 due to a neck issue. This isn't the first time he's logged limited participation since picking up the injury, so he'll likely have to submit at least one full practice before returning to game action.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable Sunday Ricci (neck) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Impact The 25-year-old was doubtful to play due to neck injury and will sit out for a second straight game. Tight ends Ian Thomas, Tommy Tremble and Stephen Sullivan could see some work at fullback in Ricci's absence.

NOVEMBER 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Doubtful against Denver Ricci (neck) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Impact Ricci was unable to practice at all throughout the week. The fullback is likely to miss a second consecutive game after getting injured in Week 10 against the Falcons.

NOVEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out Sunday Ricci (neck) is inactive Sunday against the Ravens.

Impact Ricci was able to log a full practice Thursday, so his inability to suit up Sunday against Baltimore is a bit of a surprise. He'll work to return Week 12 against the Broncos.

NOVEMBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Full go Thursday Ricci (neck) was listed as a full participant on the Panthers' injury report Thursday.

Impact Ricci was forced out with a neck injury during last Thursday's win over the Falcons, leaving him limited during Carolina's first practice Week 11. However, the fullback practiced without any limitations Thursday, so he should be ready to suit up Sunday against the Ravens. While Ricci has strictly been used as a blocker in the Panthers' running game so far this season, he's hauled in seven of eight targets for 68 yards over 10 games.

NOVEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Limited in Wednesday's practice Ricci (neck) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Ricci was forced out of Thursday's win over the Falcons early due to a neck issue, and he hasn't yet managed a return to full health. The fullback will have two more chances to upgrade his practice activity ahead of Sunday's road matchup against Baltimore.

NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable to return Thursday Ricci (neck) is questionable to return to Thursday's contest against the Falcons, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Ricci was forced to exit early and he's currently being evaluated for a neck injury. While the severity of the injury is uncertain at this time, it's possible Raheem Blackshear and Laviska Shenault see more snaps while Ricci isn't on the field.

NOVEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Serves as safety valve underneath Ricci hauled in all three of his targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 37-15 loss to the 49ers.

Impact The 6-foot-3, 240-pound fullback played 20 of the Panthers' 69 snaps in the win and set a new single-game career high in receptions, but Ricci is unlikely to see an expanded role in the Carolina passing attack as a result. The 25-year-old will continue to serve as a little more than a dump-off target underneath when the quarterback is facing pressure, or if the team's key pass catchers are well covered.

OCTOBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Makes one catch Ricci caught one of two targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 22-14 win over the Saints.

Impact Ricci has now hauled in a pass in consecutive games, but his 31 yards on the campaign evidence his tepid stock as a fullback/reserve tight end.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Week 1 Wednesday Injury Report: Giovanni Ricci limited The injury report is a short one for the Panthers entering the opener, with only one player not participating fully.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 • PANTHERS.COM

Inks extension with Carolina Ricci agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Panthers on Monday.

Impact Ricci played in 16 games for Carolina in 2021 and saw most of his action on special teams. The fullback should have a similar role for the Panthers in 2022, assumes he retains his roster spot in spring training.

JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play in Week 8 Ricci (concussion) has been cleared to play for the Panthers' in their Week 8 contest with the Falcons on Sunday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Impact Ricci suffered a concussion in Week 6 versus the Vikings and was forced to exit that game early. The fullback was ruled out of Week 7 action but will look to make his return to the field in Week 8, after getting cleared from concussion protocols Friday. Expect Ricci to play a minimal role in the Panthers' offense Sunday against the Falcons.

OCTOBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Week 7 Ricci (concussion) won't play Sunday against the Giants, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Impact Ricci will still need to clear concussion protocol before he's eligible to return to the field. The rookie fullback and tight end has featured exclusively in a blocking role on offense, though Ricci has also carved out a consistent role on special teams. Given his usage up to this point, Ricci's absence will go unnoticed in fantasy circles.

OCTOBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable for practice Ricci (concussion) missed practice again Thursday.

Impact The 25-year-old remains in concussion protocol, causing him to miss a second consecutive practice. He suffered the injury in Week 6 versus Vikings, exiting the contest early. His chances for suiting up Sunday against the Giants are slim, but he still has one more practice Friday to make an appearance.

OCTOBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Operating as blocking tight end Ricci has been active for both of the Panthers' first two games of the season, logging no targets across 27 total offensive snaps.

Impact As the lack of targets illustrate, Ricci, a second-year player out of Western Michigan, has been deployed mainly as a blocker at tight end or out of the backfield over his limited work on offense. The 24-year-old looks like a core special-teams player at this stage, as he's played 39 snaps between the Panthers' coverage and returns units. Ricci isn't entirely devoid of pass-catching upside -- he hauled in 51 balls for 642 yards and eight touchdowns in his final season of college in 2019 -- but it'll take multiple injuries at tight end before he takes on any sort of meaningful role on offense.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Inks future contract The Panthers signed Ricci to a reserve/future contract Monday, Will Bryan of the team's official site reports.

Impact Ricci failed to make the active roster in Carolina after posting a 51-642-8 line in his senior season at Western Michigan. The 24-year-old will run it back in 2021 with hopes of securing a depth role.

JANUARY 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cut by Panthers Ricci was waived by Carolina on Saturday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan was vying for a reserve tight-end role, but the Panthers opted to keep just two tight ends -- Ian Thomas (toe) and Chris Manhertz. Ricci proved to have pass-catching upside in college, hauling in 51 passes for 642 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior season, so the Panthers may look to develop him on the practice squad.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

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