Trevor Etienne - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Placed on IR, designated to return Etienne (ankle) was placed on injured reserve by the Panthers on Sunday with a designation to return, Darin Gantt of the team's official website reports.

Impact Etienne suffered an ankle injury in Friday's preseason finale versus Houston, and he will now be forced to miss at least four contests while on IR. The running back was expected to operate as a depth option behind Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) and Jonathan Brooks to open the season, so in his absence, AJ Dillon will likely slot in as the No. 3 option. Additionally, Etienne has operated as the team's primary return specialist on both kicks and punts, so Carolina will have to find replacements there for the time being.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with ankle issue Etienne (ankle) is being evaluated to diagnose the extent of his injury, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.

Impact Etienne rushed one time for two yards in Friday's preseason finale against the Texans. The running back is set to be the starting kick and punt returner for the Panthers, as well as the primary depth behind the split backfield of Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) and Jonathon Brooks. If Etienne's injury requires him to miss the Week 1 game against the Bears, AJ Dillon will likely be the No. 3 running back while Jimmy Horn and David Moore return kicks and punts.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Miles Davis' TD run lifts Panthers to 16-13 win over Texans in preseason finale

Rookie Miles Davis ran for a 1-yard touchdown, Ryan Fitzgerald kicked three field goals and the Carolina Panthers held on to defeat the Houston Texans 16-13 in the preseason finale...

AUGUST 29 • Associated Press

Draws start in preseason opener Etienne started the Panthers' 33-30 preseason win over the Cardinals on Thursday, rushing four times for 12 yards and bringing in his only target for minus-1 yard.

Impact With Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks both getting the night off, Etienne was the first back on the field for the Panthers and logged touches on each of the first three drives. He netted 12 yards via back-to-back runs on Carolina's third possession, but he was ultimately outperformed by both Miles Davis and veteran AJ Dillon after exiting the game. Etienne appeared in all 17 regular-season games as a rookie in 2025 and contributed 107 scrimmage yards, but he also added value on special teams with 733 kickoff-return yards and 163 yards on punt returns. Etienne will continue attempting to make a case for a roster spot in Carolina's second preseason game, which unfolds Saturday, Aug. 15 on the road against the Bills.

AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE

Trevor Etienne is chasing the Panthers role nobody bothered to watch Trevor Etienne is becoming an afterthought in Carolina.

JUNE 28 • CATCRAVE.COM

With Rico Dowdle gone, Panthers need production from backup RBs | Sporting News Carolina's run-first offense will need backups Jonathon Brooks, Trevor Etienne and AJ Dillon to support the RB1.

JUNE 26 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Behind Brooks on depth chart? Etienne appears to be behind Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks on Carolina's depth chart, competing for a backup role while contributing on special teams, according to Mike Kaye of...

Impact A 2025 fourth-round pick, Etienne took just 23 touches on offense during his rookie season, getting far more work on special teams -- 20 punt returns for 163 yards, 31 kick returns for 733 yards. He was one of the least effective return specialists in the league, so he'll need to compete for the kick and punt return jobs this summer. Etienne hopes there's also a competition for the No. 2 RB role behind Hubbard, though fantasy ADPs and early beat-writer reports both peg Brooks as a strong favorite. Behind Hubbard, Brooks and Etienne, the Panthers have veteran journeyman AJ Dillon and UDFAs Anthony Tyus and Miles Davis.

JUNE 4 • ROTOWIRE

Jonathon Brooks: I'm focused on my journey Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks dishes on his relationship with Chuba Hubbard, Trevor Etienne's skill set, staying healthy to handle the workloa...

JUNE 2 • PANTHERS.COM

Panthers may look to add more playmakers for QB Bryce Young in the NFL draft

Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan has focused on finding playmakers for quarterback Bryce Young in recent drafts

APRIL 15 • Associated Press

Jalen Coker emerges as needed reliable No. 2 wide receiver for Bryce Young in Carolina

The Carolina Panthers have found a promising wide receiver duo in Jalen Coker and Tetairoa McMillan

JANUARY 12 • Associated Press

Rams survive Panthers in wild-card thriller: Winners and losers Rams vs. Panthers winners include Matthew Stafford and the Panthers' punt-block unit, while losers include Trevor Etienne, Panthers run game...

JANUARY 11 • USATODAY.COM

Primary return man in rookie season Etienne rushed 20 times for 94 yards and caught all three of his targets for 13 yards across 17 regular-season games in 2025. Additionally, he recorded 733 kick-return yards and 16...

Impact The 2025 fourth-round pick from Georgia was buried behind Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard in the Panthers' backfield, so it's no surprise he didn't see much offensive work throughout his rookie campaign. However, Etienne established himself as Carolina's top return man, finishing the regular season with the 19th-most kick-return yards in the NFL. While Dowdle is set to hit unrestricted free agency, the Panthers will still have Hubbard and 2024 second-round pick Jonathan Brooks (knee) under contract next season, suggesting the backfield could remain crowded. As a result, Etienne will likely remain one of Carolina's top return specialists following the team's 2025 playoff run.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

No touches in Week 17 Etienne played three of the Panthers' 52 offensive snaps and tallied 91 kick-return yards during Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Seahawks.

Impact Etienne hasn't received a carry since the Panthers' Week 11 win over the Falcons, playing just nine offensive snaps over the team's last five games. The Georgia product has operated as Carolina's top return man this season, recording 733 punt-return yards and 160 kick-return yards across 16 appearances. Expect the rookie running back to contribute primarily on special teams while Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard handle the Panthers' backfield duties in the Week 18 matchup against the Buccaneers on Saturday.

DECEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to special teams Sunday Etienne received no offensive touches but tallied 33 punt-return yards during Sunday's 23-20 win over the Buccaneers.

Impact The 21-year-old has gone without an offensive touch in five of the Panthers' last seven games, suggesting he's firmly behind both Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard in the team's backfield. Etienne has now tallied 642 kick-return yards and 160 punt-return yards while appearing in all 15 of Carolina's contests this season. He's expected to remain the team's top return man in the Week 17 matchup against the Seahawks.

DECEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

No offensive snaps in loss Etienne didn't play a single offensive snap but logged 25 kick-return yards and 16 punt-return yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Saints.

Impact The rookie running back from Georgia has now gone without an offensive snap in three of the Panthers' last five games. He's primarily contributed as Carolina's top return man this season, recording 642 kick-return yards and 127 punt-return yards across 14 appearances. Etienne is expected to remain a depth piece in the Panthers' backfield while continuing to contribute on special teams in the Week 16 matchup against the Buccaneers.

DECEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Makes impact vs. Rams Etienne caught his lone target for four yards in Sunday's 31-28 win over the Rams. He added four kick returns for 89 yards and one punt return for 15 yards.

Impact The rookie from Georgia received an offensive touch for the second time in the Panthers' last five games and recorded the second-most total return yards (104) of his career during Sunday's win. Etienne has now rushed 20 times for 94 yards and caught all three of his targets for 13 yards over Carolina's first 13 games. Additionally, he's tallied 617 kick-return yards and 111 punt-return yards. The 21-year-old will likely remain a minor portion of the Panthers' offensive game plan following the team's Week 14 bye.

DECEMBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Tracy Smith on special teams focus against the Los Angeles Rams The Panthers' special teams coordinator also touched on Trevor Etienne's development in the return game and Bam Martin-Scott's coverage cont...

NOVEMBER 27, 2025 • PANTHERS.COM

No touches vs. San Francisco Etienne went without an offensive touch in Monday night's 20-9 loss to the 49ers.

Impact All of the Panthers' backfield work went to Rico Dowdle (10 touches for 74 yards) and Chuba Hubbard (seven touches for 43 yards), suggesting Etienne remains a minimal portion of the offensive game plan. Etienne, a 2025 fourth-round pick from Georgia, has now recorded 528 kick-return yards and 96 punt-return yards through Carolina's first 12 games. He's expected to remain the team's primary return man in the Week 13 matchup against the Rams.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gets one carry in Week 11 Etienne played just four of the Panthers' 75 offensive snaps and rushed once for two yards in Sunday's 30-27 overtime win over the Falcons.

Impact The rookie from Georgia has now played just 10 offensive snaps across Carolina's last four games, affirming his position as the team's No. 3 running back behind Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard. Although Etienne has played a minor offensive role, he's contributed on special teams, recording 544 total return yards through the Panthers' first 11 contests. He's expected to remain Carolina's top return specialist in the Week 12 matchup against the 49ers.

NOVEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Underwhelms vs. Packers Etienne played just two of the Panthers' 54 offensive snaps and logged 70 kick-return yards in Sunday's 16-13 win over the Packers.

Impact Etienne was not a part of the Panthers' offensive game plan in Week 9 and played behind Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard, tying his fewest offensive snaps in a game this season. However, the rookie running back still contributed on special teams, returning three kicks for 70 yards. Through his first nine NFL games, Etienne has logged 21 touches for 101 yards and 464 total return yards across 117 total snaps (68 on special teams, 49 on offense). He's likely to play another depth role in Carolina's backfield heading into the Week 10 matchup against the Saints.

NOVEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Logs four carries vs. Buffalo Etienne rushed four times for 16 yards during Sunday's 40-9 loss to the Bills.

Impact The rookie running back from Georgia was not involved in the Panthers' offense until late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss, receiving four consecutive carries. Etitenne also contributed on special teams, logging a career-high 100 kick-return yards and 13 punt-return yards on six opportunities. He's expected to continue playing a depth role in Carolina's backfield heading into the Week 9 matchup against the Packers.

OCTOBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Trevor Etienne uses the entire width of the field for 15-yard punt return ending in a graceful hurdle Carolina Panthers running back Trevor Etienne hurdles a New York Jet for a 15-yard punt return.

OCTOBER 19, 2025 • NFL.COM

Trevor Etienne opens the second half with a 45-yard kick return vs. Jets Carolina Panthers running back Trevor Etienne gets to midfield after a 45-yard kick return.

OCTOBER 19, 2025 • NFL.COM

Canales non-committal on who'll start at RB vs. Jets; Dowdle, Hubbard taking it all in stride

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle isn’t worried about starting or getting the most carries against the New York Jets

OCTOBER 15, 2025 • Associated Press

Efficient during win Etienne rushed three times for 17 yards during Sunday's 30-27 win over the Cowboys.

Impact The rookie running back from Georgia continued to work in a reserve role, as Rico Dowdle tallied 239 total yards and a touchdown on 34 touches in the Panthers' Week 6 win. Etienne has now rushed 15 times for 76 yards and caught both of his targets for nine yards over his first six games as a pro. He's expected to remain a depth option in Carolina's backfield while operating as the team's kick and punt returner in a Week 7 matchup against the Jets.

OCTOBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Miles Davis' TD run lifts Panthers to 16-13 win over Texans in preseason finale

Panthers may look to add more playmakers for QB Bryce Young in the NFL draft

Jalen Coker emerges as needed reliable No. 2 wide receiver for Bryce Young in Carolina

Canales non-committal on who'll start at RB vs. Jets; Dowdle, Hubbard taking it all in stride