Cotchery (ankle) returned to practice Tuesday, Steve Reed of The Associated Press reports.

Cotchery has been sidelined since injuring his ankle in Week 2, but it appears he is ready to resume playing coming out of the Panthers' bye week. He will likely slot back in as either the Panthers' third or fourth receiver.

Cotchery (ankle) is listed as out for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay.

Cotchery isn't expected to return until after Carolina's Week 5 bye. Once healthy, he'll likely pick up where he left off as the Panthers' slot receiver.

Cotchery (ankle) will likely be sidelined until after the Panthers' Week 5 bye, the Charlotte Observer reports.

Cotchery missed Sunday's win over the Saints after suffering a high ankle sprain during Week 2. Given the extended recovery timetable associated with that injury, Cotchery is not expected to be ready to return yet, but could use the Panthers' upcoming bye to gain an additional week of treatment ahead of a potential Week 6 return.

Cotchery (ankle) is out for Sunday's game against the Saints.

After missing the entire week of practice, Cotchery may also be in danger of sitting out Week 4. His Sunday absence will leave more snaps to be distributed between Philly Brown, Devin Funchess, Ted Ginn and Kevin Norwood.

Cotchery (ankle) did not take part in Friday's practice, Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Cotchery did not practice at all this week, so his chances of playing Sunday against the Saints appear slim. The Panthers will reveal whether or not he has a chance to play in Week 3 when they release Friday's injury report.

Head coach Ron Rivera stated Thursday that Cotchery's (ankle) status is "looking bleak" for Sunday's contest versus the Saints, Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reports.

A high-ankle sprain usually results in a multi-week absence, so Rivera's comment appears to confirm one of those games. As a result, it wouldn't surprise if Cotchery was ruled out on Friday's injury report, thereby opening the door for Greg Olsen, Ted Ginn, and Corey Brown to pick up a few extra targets.

Cotchery (ankle) missed practice Thursday, Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer reports.

Cotchery's age (33 years old) isn't on his side in his recovery effort from a high-ankle sprain. By the end of the week, the Panthers could clarify the situation surrounding the wideout, but the likes of Greg Olsen, Ted Ginn, and Corey Brown will have additional targets in store, if Cotchery is unable to go Sunday against the Saints.

Cotchery (ankle) wasn't present at Wednesday's practice, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.

On Sunday, Cotchery suffered a high-ankle sprain, which is typically accompanied by a series of missed games, depending on the severity. Ultimately, he'll have two more opportunities to display that he can practice this week, with Friday's injury report providing a glimpse into his potential availability Sunday against the Saints. If he sits out, Ted Ginn, Corey Brown, and Greg Olsen would be in line for a slight uptick in targets.

Cotchery suffered a high ankle sprain during Sunday's win over the Texans, The Charlotte Observer reports.

Cotchery was carted to the locker room during the first quarter of Sunday's game, and although he was able to briefly return later on, stiffness in the ankle ultimately ended Cotchery's day early. Now, the wideout carries a tricky injury into Week 3, when team doctors are hopeful he'll be available. However, should the 33-year-old be sidelined, the Panthers would be without another top target, potentially further opening targets for wideouts Ted Ginn, Philly Brown and rookie Devin Funchess.

Cotchery (ankle) returned to Sunday's game versus the Texans.

When he was diagnosed with a right ankle injury, Cotchery was listed as questionable to return but came back before halftime. He'll look to build upon a modest Week 1 line of four catches (on six targets) for 45 yards and one touchdown.

Cotchery was carted to the locker room in the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Texans due to a lower right leg injury, Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer reports.

Ailments in that region have a wide range of severity, which the Panthers are sure to confirm after a thorough examination. In any case, Cotchery's absence further hinders a receiving corps without the services of Kelvin Benjamin (knee) for the season.

Cotchery hauled in four of his six targets for 45 yards and a touchdown Sunday against the Jaguars.

A steady performance from the veteran, who stands to play a regular role on a team devoid of quality depth on the outside. Despite his role the red zone attention from Cam Newton, Cotchery is still just a small blip on the fantasy radar and will continue as such when the Panthers welcome Houston to town in Week 2.

Cotchery (groin) isn't listed on the injury report in advance of Sunday's game at Jacksonville, the Panthers' official site reports.

Cotchery hauled in his sole preseason catch in the same game in which he suffered a groin injury -- on Aug. 28 against the Patriots -- but he's healthy for the regular season opener. Although Kelvin Benjamin (torn ACL) was lost for the season early in training camp, Cotchery is expected to come off the bench behind proposed starting wideouts Philly Brown and Ted Ginn, which along with his age (33) will combine to curb his value.

Cotchery suffered a groin injury in Friday's game and will not return.

The severity of the injury is unclear, but his status should be updated prior to Thursday's game in Pittsburgh. Devin Funchess, by process of elimination, continues to look like the most appealing Panthers wide receiver for fantasy purposes.

Cotchery did not draw any targets in Saturday's preseason game against the Dolphins.

Cotchery started 13 games last season, but even with Kelvin Benjamin (torn ACL) out for the year, the 33-year-old wideout will likely have a limited role. Devin Funchess, Philly Brown and Ted Ginn are the stronger candidates to benefit from Benjamin's absence.

Cotchery is listed as the backup to Philly Brown on the Panthers' initial depth chart, the team's official website reports.

Although Cotchery was the Panthers' No. 2 wide receiver last season, his age and middling performance all but guarantee he'll have a reduced role in 2015. Ideally, Carolina would like rookie Devin Funchess to step up as the complement to Kelvin Benjamin, but Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said Tuesday that he'll likely use a committee for the No. 2 wideout spot, according to ESPN's David Newton. Both Funchess and Philly Brown offer more upside than the 33-year-old Cotchery.

Cotchery could have his role reduced somewhat this season, ESPN.com reports.

Cotchery embodied an underwhelming No. 2 wideout for the Panthers last season, but could slide back on the depth chart this term. Along with Carolina drafting Devin Funchess in the second round and signing veteran Ted Ginn, Corey Brown's late-season development gives the Panthers another decent receiving option. As a result, the aging Cotchery could be relegated to a more appropriate reserve role this season.

Cotchery wrapped up his debut season in Carolina with 48 catches (on 78 targets) for 580 receiving yards and one touchdown in 15 games played.

Cotchery joined the Panthers last offseason after surprisingly going for 10 touchdowns in 2013 as the Steelers' No. 3 wideout. While Cotchery assumed Carolina's No. 2 receiver role upon signing with the team, his totals this season were still nearly identical to last season, excluding touchdowns. That's because along with the Panthers' preference to run around the goal line, the presence of red zone targets Greg Olsen and Kelvin Benjamin further precluded Cotchery from finding pay dirt. In short, Cotchery's 10-touchdown campaign appears to have been an anomaly, but the 32-year-old remains a serviceable third or fourth pass-catching option. With the Panthers expected to be in the market for further help at wide receiver, Cotchery's fantasy stock figures to be in a holding pattern as he mentors younger players at the position.

Cotchery had five catches on five targets for 47 yards and a touchdown Sunday against the Buccaneers.

While Greg Olsen and Kelvin Benjamin each reached the 100-yard mark, Cotchery was the one who caught quarterback Derek Anderson's lone touchdown pass. The score was Cotchery's first this season, a tremendous drop after he scored 10 times for the Steelers last season.

Cotchery (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

The Panthers' passing attack is sputtering right now, and Cotchery finds himself behind Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen on quarterback Cam Newton's preferred list of targets. Averaging just 32 receiving yards per game over the last four weeks, Cotchery is only a desperation fantasy play, even against the league's weakest pass defense.