Funchess (knee) caught 23 passes (on 59 targets) for 371 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games played this season.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess was the subject of considerable preseason hype, but his sophomore campaign fell flat across all categories. With fellow big-bodied wideout Kelvin Benjamin returning from last season's knee injury, Funchess was deemed redundant in a low-volume, low-efficiency Panthers passing game that featured Benjamin and tight end Greg Olsen most often. In fact, Funchess was on the field for under half of Carolina's offensive plays, and he missed the team's final regular season game due to a knee problem of his own. While his four receiving touchdowns trailed only Benjamin among his teammates, Funchess failed to top three catches and/or 56 yards in a single game this season. Although veteran slot receiver Ted Ginn's upcoming free agency gives Funchess a potential path to more looks, it'll be hard not to second-guess any inflated expectations that may surround him ahead of next season.

The Panthers placed Funchess (knee) on injured reserve Thursday, Bryan Strickland of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

An unlikely candidate to suit up in the season finale due to a knee injury suffered in Week 16, Funchess has been ruled out for the campaign in order to open a spot on the 53-man roster for fellow wideout Damiere Byrd. Funchess didn't fare as well in his second year as he did in his first, hauling in only 23 of 58 passes for 371 yards and four touchdowns. Depending on how the Panthers proceed with free agency and the draft in the offseason, he could be the No. 3 receiving threat behind Greg Olsen and Kelvin Benjamin in 2017.

Updating a previous note, Funchess (knee) was placed on injured reserve Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess will end his season a week early, recording 23 receptions for 371 yards and four touches through 15 games this year. The Panthers promoted Damiere Byrd from the practice squad to replace the second-year wideout on the depth chart, although Philly Brown will likely be the beneficiary of reps Sunday.

Funchess (knee) is a long shot to play this Sunday against the Buccaneers according to head coach Ron Rivera, Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess has not practiced this week and it seems increasingly likely that he'll spend the season-finale on the sideline. Look for more updates to come throughout the week, with Philly Brown and Brenton Bersin likely to see expanded reps in Funchess' absence.

Funchess (knee) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess remains bothered by a knee issue stemming from Week 16's loss to the Falcons, and his status for Sunday's tilt against the Buccaneers is still up in the air. With the Panthers well out of playoff contention, the team may elect not to risk his long-term health, potentially opening the door for Philly Brown to see additional targets behind Kelvin Benjamin and Ted Ginn.

Funchess (knee) is questionable to return to Saturday's game against the Falcons.

EDGE Analysis

The second-year wide receiver has gone back to the Panthers' locker room for further evaluation on his injured knee. If he's unable to return, Kelvin Benjamin and Ted Ginn figure to see the bulk of the targets on the outside for the Panthers.

Funchess caught two passes (on five targets) for 33 yards and a touchdown Sunday against the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess hauled in a six-yard touchdown to start the second quarter, giving him four touchdowns on the season. Considering the second-year pro has caught just two passes in each of Carolina's past four games, and still hasn't topped 60 yards this season, he needs to find the end zone to make a meaningful fantasy impact, and did just that Sunday.

Funchess caught two passes (on four targets) for 44 yards in Sunday night's loss to the Seahawks.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess only trailed teammate Ted Ginn in receiving yards Sunday, evidencing the trouble Carolina had throwing the ball against Seattle's vaunted secondary. Although he's topped 50 yards only twice this season, Funchess has at least accounted for a 20-plus yard gain in five of his past six outings.

Funchess caught both of his targets for 19 yards Sunday in Oakland.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess expectedly took a backseat to Kelvin Benjamin, Greg Olsen and Ted Ginn Jr. in this one, having logged two targets compared to the aforementioned trio's 21. His role isn't expected to increase any time soon.

Funchess caught two of seven targets for 32 yards Thursday against the Saints.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess and Greg Olsen co-led the team in targets Thursday but neither was able to do much with them. In fact, Kelvin Benjamin and Ted Ginn were able to do more with less, considering the two wound up as Carolina's leading receivers despite seeing only four looks a piece. Expect more of the same out of Funchess moving forward; if he couldn't exploit the Saints' 31st-ranked passing defense, he probably can't be trusted to put up bigger numbers versus more formidable opponents.