The Carolina Panthers had to move swiftly to get veteran wide receiver Hunter Renfrow back into the fold. Desperate times called for desperate measures, which represented a massive win for the player just a few days after being made surplus to requirements.
And the first stage of preparations for Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars provided a subtle clue about Renfrow's role to begin the campaign.
The Panthers traded Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings once a suitable compensation package was agreed upon. That seemed inevitable from the moment the player's hometown club came calling once again.