Ricky Proehl loves talking up his guys, so when the Carolina Panthers' receivers coach predicted in May that Damiere Byrd "is going to be someone to reckon with," it could've easily been dismissed as coachspeak.

But through an impressive spring and first week of training camp, it's clear Proehl wasn't just being nice.

Byrd sightings continued Thursday when the 5-foot-9 speedster flashed all over the field. He caught a pair of passes within moments of each other in team drills. He flew around the left side on a reverse. He drew a flag down the field on cornerback Robert McClain.

Few tossed Byrd's name into the mix when they were making roster predictions this offseason — and he's still likely on the outside looking in — but Byrd's blend of speed and smarts in the slot continues to catch coaches' eyes.

"He's gotten a lot of people's attention," coach Ron Rivera said. "It'll be interesting to watch him get his opportunities when the action is live."

It'll also be interesting to see when Byrd runs onto the field during the preseason opener in Baltimore next Thursday. He's been getting plenty of snaps with the 1s in practice, but his longer look will likely come with the backups. He could also field punts and kickoffs.

In four preseason games as an undrafted rookie, Byrd caught six passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. After he was released in final cuts, he was signed to the practice squad. Less than two weeks later, he was cut again, only to be picked back up three days later.

Now, almost a full year later, Byrd's flying around Spartanburg with about 10 extra pounds and plenty of potential.

"When he came back the second time, he seemed to have a different resolve," Rivera said.

"It's interesting because some of our veteran guys — when he was let go and when he got brought back — they put their arm around him and told him, 'You've got some tools. You've just got to pay attention to what's going on,' and I think he took it to heart."