Carolina Panthers: Damiere Byrd headed to injured reserve

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Damiere Byrd will head to injured reserve with a lower leg injury, coach Ron Rivera said on Tuesday.

Byrd scored on a franchise-best 103-yard kickoff return in Sunday's victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 24-year-old was carted to the locker room just after halftime.

The second-year pro reeled in a pair of touchdown receptions in Carolina's 31-24 win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 15 before sparking the Panthers past the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Byrd was placed on injured reserve earlier this season with a broken arm before returning to collect 10 receptions for 105 yards over the last four weeks.

Kaelin Clay likely will replace Byrd during wide receiver packages while rookie Christian McCaffrey is expected to help on returns.