The most compelling NFL comeback story of the preseason has hit a speed bump. Just weeks after electrifying Carolina Panthers training camp with spectacular plays, former Clemson Tigers superstar Hunter Renfrow has been sidelined by a hamstring injury, casting a shadow of uncertainty over his high-stakes return to the NFL.
Renfrow, who signed a one-year deal with the Panthers in April, is making a monumental return to professional football after missing all of the 2024 season while recovering from a battle with the autoimmune condition ulcerative colitis. His early performance in camp, which Panthers head coach Dave Canales called a "great story" and said was at "top form," had many believing the veteran wideout had an inside track to a roster spot.
But a hamstring injury has kept him out of practice for over a week, and as of Wednesday, he was still not in pads, marking a crucial setback for a player battling for a permanent home on a 53-man roster.
Despite the missed time, Canales remains confident in Renfrow's progress. “He is doing great,” Canales told reporters on Tuesday. “He’s in return-to-play right now with our training department. He’s running, he’s cutting. I think it’s just the load of practice that we’re just trying to be smart on, and making sure that we get him completely healthy so we can really see him in these games.”
The decision on whether Renfrow will play in the team's first preseason game on Friday night against the Cleveland Browns is still pending, but for a 29-year-old veteran who has been away from the league for a full season, every rep matters.
Renfrow's inspiring journey, from a Clemson legend who won two national championships to a Pro Bowl NFL star, to a veteran battling back from a life-altering health challenge, has already captured the attention of the sports world. Now, his comeback faces its first real test. While Canales feels "really strongly" that Renfrow is close to returning, the missed practices and a looming preseason game against the Browns represent a high-stakes challenge for a player trying to prove he's the same Hunter Renfrow who once dominated the slot.