hmir Smith-Marsette, previously waived by the Bears in October 2022, made an impressive comeback during the Panthers vs. Bears game. Smith-Marsette’s exhilarating 79-yard punt return touchdown marked a remarkable feat, showcasing his resilience and determination on the field.

Panthers returner Ihmir Smith-Marsette is an early candidate for NFC special teams player of the week for Week 10. Smith-Marsette took Trenton Gill’s punt 79 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter of Thursday Night Football.

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It was the Panthers’ first return for a touchdown since Nov. 26, 2017, against the Jets, and the seventh player in franchise history with a punt return touchdown.

Josh Blackwell had a shot at tackling Smith-Marsette early, but Smith-Marsette sidestepped him and then had only to avoid the tackle of Gill.

Smith-Marsette played six games with the Bears last season but played only 58 offensive snaps and two on special teams. He did not have a career punt return in his career until this season.

All three of Smith-Marsette’s career touchdowns have come against the Bears.

The Panthers lead the Bears 7-3 with 2:29 remaining in the first quarter after Chicago responded with a field goal drive. Cairo Santos kicked a 54-yard field goal to complete an eight-play, 39-yard scoring drive.

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The statistical breakdown of the play reveals the exceptional nature of Smith-Marsette’s performance. With an anticipated return of 7 yards, his actual return of 79 yards overperformed significantly, defying the odds and highlighting the unexpected nature of the touchdown. Moreover, the touchdown probability was initially estimated at a mere 0.4%, emphasizing the rarity of such an occurrence.

Notably, this remarkable punt return stands as the third most improbable since 2021, underscoring the exceptional athleticism and skill displayed by Smith-Marsette during the game. The detailed analysis further illuminates the impressive distance covered by Smith-Marsette, with a total journey of 106.5 yards from the snap to the score, achieved at a remarkable speed of 19.53 mph.