Damiere Byrd

Damiere Byrd

Byrd with the Carolina Panthers in 2016
No. 13 – Washington Commanders
Position:	Wide receiver
Personal information
Born:	(1993-01-27) January 27, 1993 (age 31) Erial, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:	175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High school:	Timber Creek (Erial)
College:	South Carolina (2011–2014)
Undrafted:	2015
Career history
Carolina Panthers (2015–2018) Arizona Cardinals (2019) New England Patriots (2020) Chicago Bears (2021) Atlanta Falcons (2022) Carolina Panthers (2023)* Atlanta Falcons (2023)* Houston Texans (2023)* Washington Commanders (2024–present)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:	Active
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 130 Receiving yards: 1,689 Receiving touchdowns: 7 Return yards: 466 Returning touchdowns: 1
Player stats at PFR

Damiere Byrd (born January 27, 1993) is an American football wide receiver for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at South Carolina and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Carolina Panthers in 2015. Byrd has also been a member of the Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, and Houston Texans.

College career

Byrd played wide receiver for the South Carolina Gamecocks football team as a true freshman in 2011. After his senior season in 2014, Byrd had amassed 1,265 yards on 68 receptions (18.6 yards/catch) with 10 touchdowns in his collegiate career. ^[1]

Byrd was considered the fastest player on the team while at South Carolina and also competed for the South Carolina track team. ^{[2] [3]}

Professional career

Pre-draft

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
5 ft 9+1⁄8 in (1.76 m)	173 lb (78 kg)	29+7⁄8 in (0.76 m)	8 in (0.20 m)	4.28 s	1.51 s	2.54 s	4.03 s	6.60 s	42.0 in (1.07 m)	10 ft 11 in (3.33 m)	13 reps
All values from Pro Day [4] [5]

At the South Carolina Pro Day, Byrd only ran the 40-yard dash once, since his left calf muscle tightened up on him. Byrd, having a track & field background, was able to put up impressive numbers, completing the short shuttle in 4.03 seconds, the three-cone in 6.6 seconds and the 60-yard long shuttle in 10.90 seconds, faster than any other time posted at the 2015 scouting combine. ^[4]

Carolina Panthers (first stint)

On May 8, 2015, Byrd was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Carolina Panthers. On September 5, 2015, he was released by the Panthers. ^[6] On September 7, 2015, Byrd was signed to the Panthers' practice squad, where he spent the rest of his rookie season. ^[7] On February 7, 2016, Byrd's Panthers played in Super Bowl 50. In the game, the Panthers fell to the Denver Broncos by a score of 24–10. ^[8]

2016

Byrd signed a reserve/futures contract with the Panthers on February 9, 2016.

Byrd made the initial 53-man roster in 2016 but was inactive for the first five games before being released on October 14, 2016. ^[9] He was re-signed to the practice squad the next day. ^[10] He was promoted back to the active roster on December 29, 2016. ^[11]

2017

On October 1, 2017, during the second quarter of a game versus the New England Patriots, Byrd broke his left arm on a reverse play. He was subsequently placed on the injured reserve two days later. ^[12] He was activated off injured reserve to the active roster on December 2, 2017. ^[13] In Week 16, Byrd returned a kickoff 103 yards, a franchise record, and scored the Panthers' first kickoff-return touchdown since 2011 which was crucial in the 22–19 win over the Buccaneers, earning him National Football Conference (NFC) Special Teams Player of the Week. ^[14] However during the second half of the game, Byrd suffered a lower leg injury and subsequently was placed on injured reserve on December 26, 2017. ^[15]

2018

Byrd entered the 2018 season as the Panthers primary punt returner. He played in eight games before suffering a broken arm in Week 12. He was placed on injured reserve on November 27, 2018. ^[16]

Arizona Cardinals

On March 26, 2019, Byrd signed with the Arizona Cardinals. ^[17] He played in 11 games with three starts, recording a career-high 32 catches for 359 yards and one touchdown. ^[18]

New England Patriots

On March 23, 2020, Byrd signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots. ^[19]

In Week 11 against the Houston Texans, Byrd recorded six catches for 132 yards and a touchdown during the 27–20 loss. ^[20]

Byrd finished the season playing in 16 games with 47 receptions, 604 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. ^[21]

Chicago Bears

On May 4, 2021, Byrd signed with the Chicago Bears. ^[22] In the Week 14 game against the Green Bay Packers, Byrd caught a 54-yard touchdown pass from Justin Fields. ^[23]

Atlanta Falcons (first stint)

On April 1, 2022, Byrd signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. ^[24] On October 22, in Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Byrd recorded his first touchdown of the season on a 75–yard reception from Marcus Mariota. ^[25]

Carolina Panthers (second stint)

On April 14, 2023, Byrd signed with the Panthers. ^[26] He was placed on injured reserve on August 16, 2023. ^[27] He was released on August 25. ^[28]

Atlanta Falcons (second stint)

On October 19, 2023, Byrd was signed to the Falcons practice squad. ^[29] He was released on November 22. ^[30]

Houston Texans

On January 17, 2024, Byrd was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad. ^[31] He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent when his practice squad contract expired. ^[32]

Washington Commanders

Byrd signed a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders on May 16, 2024. ^[33]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Receiving					Rushing					Returning					Fumbles
		GP	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Ret	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Fum	Lost
2016	CAR	1	0	1	16	16.0	16	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	1	31	31.0	31	0	0	0
2017	CAR	8	3	10	105	10.5	31	2	1	12	12.0	12	0	8	238	29.8	103	1	0	1
2018	CAR	8	0	1	8	8.0	8	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	13	138	10.6	30	0	0	0
2019	ARI	11	3	32	359	11.2	58	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	4	59	14.8	23	0	1	0
2020	NE	16	14	47	604	12.9	42	1	2	15	7.5	11	0	2	0	0.0	0	0	3	0
2021	CHI	17	4	26	329	12.7	54	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	1	0	0.0	0	0	1	0
2022	ATL	14	4	13	268	20.6	75	2	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
2023	ATL	1	0	Did not record any stats
Career		76	28	130	1,689	13.0	75	7	3	27	9.0	12	0	29	466	16.1	103	1	5	1

References

1. "Damiere Byrd College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
2. "Damiere Byrd". University of South Carolina Athletics. June 22, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
3. "Damiere Byrd – Track and Field Results & Statistics". TFRRS. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
4. Brandt, Gil (April 1, 2015). "Damiere Byrd of South Carolina runs 4.28 40 on grass". NFL.com. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
5. "Damiere Byrd, South Carolina, WR, 2015 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
6. Henson, Max (September 5, 2015). "Panthers trim roster to 53". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
7. "WR Bersin among 10 set to join practice squad". Panthers.com. September 6, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
8. "Super Bowl 50 – Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers – February 7th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved August 7, 2017.
9. "Panthers sign Wes Horton, waive Damiere Byrd". Panthers.com. October 14, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
10. "Panthers promote CB Lou Young". Panthers.com. October 15, 2016. Archived from the original on January 14, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
11. Strickland, Bryan (December 29, 2016). "Devin Funchess placed on IR; Damiere Byrd promoted". Panthers.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
12. Voth, Bill (October 3, 2017). "Panthers sign safety Jairus Byrd". Panthers.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
13. Igoe, Stephen (December 2, 2017). "Panthers sign Zach Moore to active roster, activate Damiere Byrd". 247Sports.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
14. Maya, Adam (December 27, 2017). "Todd Gurley, Dion Lewis among NFL Players of Week". NFL.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
15. Henson, Max (December 26, 2017). "Damiere Byrd placed on injured reserve". Panthers.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
16. "Damiere Byrd placed on injured reserve; Lorenzo Doss promoted". Panthers.com. November 27, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
17. Urban, Darren (March 26, 2019). "Cardinals Sign Wide Receiver Damiere Byrd". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
18. "Damiere Byrd 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
19. Williams, Charean (March 17, 2020). "Damiere Byrd agrees to one-year deal with Patriots". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
20. "New England Patriots at Houston Texans – November 22nd, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
21. "Damiere Byrd 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
22. Mayer, Larry (May 4, 2021). "Roster Move: Bears sign WR Damiere Byrd". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
23. "Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - December 12th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
24. Bair, Scott (April 1, 2022). "Falcons sign speedy receiver Damiere Byrd". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
25. Garcia, Art (October 23, 2022). "WATCH: Damiere Byrd, Marcus Mariota Connect on 75-Yard Falcons Touchdown". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
26. "Panthers sign wide receiver Damiere Byrd". Panthers.com. April 14, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
27. Simmons, Myles (August 16, 2023). "Panthers sign Collin Duncan, place Damiere Byrd on IR". NBCSports.com. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
28. Rizzuti, Anthony (August 25, 2023). "Panthers release Damiere Byrd with injury settlement". Panthers Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
29. Choate, Dave (October 19, 2023). "Falcons bring veteran WR Damiere Byrd back to practice squad". The Falcoholic. SB Nation. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
30. Urben, Matt (November 22, 2023). "Falcons release WR Damiere Byrd from practice squad". Falcons Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
31. "Houston Texans Transactions (1-17-2024)". HoustonTexans.com. January 17, 2024.
32. Thompson, Cole (January 22, 2024). "Texans Sign 12 Players To Reserve/Future Contracts". Sports Illustrated .
33. "Commanders sign WR Damiere Byrd". Commanders.com. May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.

External links

• Washington Commanders bio
• South Carolina Gamecocks bio