CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers wide receiver Damiere Byrd will be placed on injured reserve with a lower leg injury suffered on a kickoff return in Sunday's 22-19 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Defensive end Charles Johnson, coming off a four-week suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, will replace Byrd on the 53-man roster for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Coach Ron Rivera said first-round draft pick Christian McCaffrey may get some opportunities returning kickoffs and punts, something the staff has tried to limit the past couple of months, with Byrd out.