Carolina signed Ricci to a new contract Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Ricci will now avoid becoming an exclusive-rights free agent heading into this coming offseason. The 26-year-old fullback served as a core special-teamer for the second season in a row in 2022, though he also added the first eight receptions of his career for 100 yards over 15 games. Ricci should will likely enter the 2023 regular season as the clear frontrunner to be the Panthers' starting fullback.
Jan 9, 2023 9:56 PM EST
Ricci (neck) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: Ricci has been out of action since Week 10, but after he was able to complete a limited practice Wednesday, the 26-year-old upgraded to a full participant Thursday. He should return to his role of the team's fullback Sunday against the Seahawks.
Dec 8, 2022 11:57 AM EST
Ricci (neck) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Ricci hasn't played since Week 10 due to a neck issue. This isn't the first time he's logged limited participation since picking up the injury, so he'll likely have to submit at least one full practice before returning to game action.
Dec 7, 2022 12:31 PM EST
Ricci (neck) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Analysis: The 25-year-old was doubtful to play due to neck injury and will sit out for a second straight game. Tight ends Ian Thomas, Tommy Tremble and Stephen Sullivan could see some work at fullback in Ricci's absence.
Nov 27, 2022 9:28 AM EST
Ricci (neck) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Analysis: Ricci was unable to practice at all throughout the week. The fullback is likely to miss a second consecutive game after getting injured in Week 10 against the Falcons.
Nov 25, 2022 11:13 AM EST
Ricci (neck) is inactive Sunday against the Ravens.
Analysis: Ricci was able to log a full practice Thursday, so his inability to suit up Sunday against Baltimore is a bit of a surprise. He'll work to return Week 12 against the Broncos.
Nov 20, 2022 8:55 AM EST
Ricci (neck) was listed as a full participant on the Panthers' injury report Thursday.
Analysis: Ricci was forced out with a neck injury during last Thursday's win over the Falcons, leaving him limited during Carolina's first practice Week 11. However, the fullback practiced without any limitations Thursday, so he should be ready to suit up Sunday against the Ravens. While Ricci has strictly been used as a blocker in the Panthers' running game so far this season, he's hauled in seven of eight targets for 68 yards over 10 games.
Nov 17, 2022 12:15 PM EST
Ricci (neck) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Analysis: Ricci was forced out of Thursday's win over the Falcons early due to a neck issue, and he hasn't yet managed a return to full health. The fullback will have two more chances to upgrade his practice activity ahead of Sunday's road matchup against Baltimore.
Nov 16, 2022 11:48 AM EST
Ricci (neck) is questionable to return to Thursday's contest against the Falcons, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Ricci was forced to exit early and he's currently being evaluated for a neck injury. While the severity of the injury is uncertain at this time, it's possible Raheem Blackshear and Laviska Shenault see more snaps while Ricci isn't on the field.
Nov 10, 2022 7:06 PM EST
Ricci hauled in all three of his targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 37-15 loss to the 49ers.
Analysis: The 6-foot-3, 240-pound fullback played 20 of the Panthers' 69 snaps in the win and set a new single-game career high in receptions, but Ricci is unlikely to see an expanded role in the Carolina passing attack as a result. The 25-year-old will continue to serve as a little more than a dump-off target underneath when the quarterback is facing pressure, or if the team's key pass catchers are well covered.
Oct 10, 2022 12:32 PM EST
Ricci caught one of two targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 22-14 win over the Saints.
Analysis: Ricci has now hauled in a pass in consecutive games, but his 31 yards on the campaign evidence his tepid stock as a fullback/reserve tight end.
Sep 26, 2022 4:29 PM EST
Ricci practiced at full capacity Friday and carries no injury designation ahead of Carolina's Week 1 matchup versus Cleveland, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Ricci has been dealing with a hip injury he suffered during the Panthers' preseason finale, but he appears to have put that behind him. The NFL sophomore from Western Michigan will likely operate primarily on special teams, but he should see some snaps as a lead blocker for Christian McCaffrey or Chuba Hubbard as well.
Sep 9, 2022 11:25 AM EST
Ricci (hip) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Ricci suffered the injury during the preseason finale, but he'll have a chance to suit up in Week 1 after returning to practice Wednesday. The undrafted fullback out of Western Michigan appeared in 16 games for the Panthers as a rookie and operated mostly on special teams. If healthy, he figures to garner a similar role in 2022.
Sep 7, 2022 11:49 AM EST
Ricci has been ruled out for the remainder of Friday's preseason finale against the Bills due to a groin injury, Schuyler Callihan of SI.com reports.
Analysis: The extent of the injury remains unclear. The undrafted fullback out of Western Michigan appeared in 16 games for the Panthers as a rookie and operated mostly on special teams. Barring his health, he figures to garner a similar role again in 2022.
Aug 26, 2022 6:41 PM EST
Ricci agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Panthers on Monday.
Analysis: Ricci played in 16 games for Carolina in 2021 and saw most of his action on special teams. The fullback should have a similar role for the Panthers in 2022, assumes he retains his roster spot in spring training.
Jan 10, 2022 2:53 PM EST
Ricci (concussion) has been cleared to play for the Panthers' in their Week 8 contest with the Falcons on Sunday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Ricci suffered a concussion in Week 6 versus the Vikings and was forced to exit that game early. The fullback was ruled out of Week 7 action but will look to make his return to the field in Week 8, after getting cleared from concussion protocols Friday. Expect Ricci to play a minimal role in the Panthers' offense Sunday against the Falcons.
Oct 29, 2021 10:32 AM EST
Ricci (concussion) won't play Sunday against the Giants, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Ricci will still need to clear concussion protocol before he's eligible to return to the field. The rookie fullback and tight end has featured exclusively in a blocking role on offense, though Ricci has also carved out a consistent role on special teams. Given his usage up to this point, Ricci's absence will go unnoticed in fantasy circles.
Oct 22, 2021 10:18 AM EST
Ricci (concussion) missed practice again Thursday.
Analysis: The 25-year-old remains in concussion protocol, causing him to miss a second consecutive. He suffered the injury in Week 6 versus Vikings, exiting the contest early. His chances for suiting up Sunday against the Giants are slim, but he still has one more practice Friday to make an appearance.
Oct 21, 2021 2:54 PM EST
Ricci has been active for both of the Panthers' first two games of the season, logging no targets across 27 total offensive snaps.
Analysis: As the lack of targets illustrate, Ricci, a second-year player out of Western Michigan, has been deployed mainly as a blocker at tight end or out of the backfield over his limited work on offense. The 24-year-old looks like a core special-teams player at this stage, as he's played 39 snaps between the Panthers' coverage and returns units. Ricci isn't entirely devoid of pass-catching upside -- he hauled in 51 balls for 642 yards and eight touchdowns in his final season of college in 2019 -- but it'll take multiple injuries at tight end before he takes on any sort of meaningful role on offense.
Sep 23, 2021 11:51 AM EST
The Panthers signed Ricci to a reserve/future contract Monday, Will Bryan of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Ricci failed to make the active roster in Carolina after posting a 51-642-8 line in his senior season at Western Michigan. The 24-year-old will run it back in 2021 with hopes of securing a depth role.
Jan 4, 2021 2:04 PM EST
News powered by
Copyright 2022 Fantasy Football Calculator | Image Source: Icon Sportswire. Not affiliated with the National Football League (NFL).
Stats powered by FantasyData.com. Email marketing by StrikeStack.
