DJ Chark Departs Lions for Panthers

One of the Detroit Lions' top receivers from 2022 will not return this upcoming season.

After one season with the Detroit Lions, wide receiver DJ Chark has found employment elsewhere. 

Per reports, Chark has inked a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. 

Chark, who spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, was signed by Detroit general manager Brad Holmes to a one-year deal last offseason.

In his lone season with the Lions, Chark battled the injury bug, suiting up for just 11 games. In those contests, the 6-foot-4, 198-pound wideout amassed 30 receptions for 502 yards and three touchdowns. 

He began to develop a rapport with Detroit quarterback Jared Goff during the second half of the year.

In fact, in the final seven games of the season, Chark accumulated 404 of those 502 yards. This included back-to-back games in which the former Jaguars pass-catcher went for north of 90 reception yards (Weeks 13 and 14). 

Coincidently, one of those performances came against the team that drafted him: Jacksonville.

"Every game means a lot to me. But, to be back on the field, I’m taking it very seriously and trying to help my team in any way I can," Chark said after the Lions' 40-14 victory over the Jaguars in Week 13. "It does feel good that you know, to play with my brothers against my old team, to be able to have a good performance, as well as win. That means everything."

If the 2023 season were to begin today, Detroit would be equipped with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond and Josh Reynolds as its top four receivers.