Tristan

Davis

Formerly on the Redskins’ practice squad, the Panthers could be looking at Davis as a potential replacement for Mike Goodson, who was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. Davis has never appeared in an NFL game, and would likely be primarily used on kick returns.

Although Minnifield underwent microfracture surgery over the winter, this still comes as a bit of surprise in that the former Virginia star shined while participating fully in June minicamp. The Redskins are building in roster flexibility with the option to leave Minnifield on reserve/PUP for the first six games. RB Tristan Davis (undisclosed) is also expected to open camp on the PUP list.

A 26-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Auburn, Davis has yet to appear in an NFL game. Boyce is a rookie UDFA out of Washington.

We don’t usually post practice squad signings, but in a Shanahan backfield, you never know. Davis goes 5-foot-10, 212 pounds and has bounced between five NFL teams since going undrafted out of Auburn in 2009. Davis finished his college career with only 19 carries, being used mostly as a kickoff returner.

Per beat writer Zac Boyer, Davis injured his knee on Monday, and has decided to retire. A fourth-year undrafted free agent, Davis never appeared in an NFL game.

Davis, undrafted out of Auburn in 2009, was in the mix for kickoff returns with Nolan Carroll, Patrick Cobbs, and Brian Hartline. Carroll, not Cobbs, is now considered the “clear front runner” to win the return job on kickoffs.

Undrafted out of Auburn, Davis spent the majority of last season on the Dolphins’ practice squad. He set Auburn’s single-season kickoff return record in 2006 and was an All-SEC returner in 2007. Cobbs is considered the early favorite, but he’s yet to show that his knee is fully healthy.

It’s not a sure thing yet. Cobbs has to prove he’s fully healthy when he makes his preseason debut this Saturday. He’s also being pushed by CB Nolan Carroll and RB Tristan Davis. Carroll offers the most upside of the group, but coach Tony Sparano loves Cobbs.

He goes before undrafted supplemental prospect Caleb King, which isn’t a good sign for Davis’ future. Davis received 12 preseason carries for 72 yards.