Dan Chisena Bio
Dan Chisena (born February 25, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing approximately 203 pounds, he has carved out a career built on special teams play, versatility, and persistence across multiple practice squads and active-roster stints. After playing college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, Chisena entered the league in 2020 as an undrafted free agent and has since been associated with six NFL organizations.
Known for his track-and-field background and his willingness to switch positions early in his career, Chisena has spent most of his professional seasons contributing on special teams units. He signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers in March 2025, continuing his journey in the league after stops in Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Arizona, and Baltimore.
Early Life and Background
Dan Chisena was born on February 25, 1997, in Paoli, Pennsylvania, and grew up in nearby Downingtown, Pennsylvania. He attended Downingtown East High School, where he developed into a two-sport standout in football and track and field. On the football field, Chisena played wide receiver and was named first-team All-Ches-Mont League as a senior after recording 41 receptions for 553 yards and three touchdowns.
Chisena was also a highly accomplished sprinter for the Downingtown East track team. At the 2015 PIAA Class AAA Outdoor State Championship, he won gold medals in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4×100 relay, demonstrating the straight-line speed that would later translate to his professional football career. His high school achievements in both sports laid the foundation for his walk-on opportunity at Penn State.
Path to Professional Football
Chisena joined the Penn State Nittany Lions as a walk-on for both the football and track teams. He redshirted his first year in football before being offered a track scholarship at the conclusion of his freshman season, which forced him to leave the football program under NCAA rules. On the track, Chisena placed third in the 400 meters at the 2017 Big Ten Conference Outdoor Championships and was part of Penn State’s 4×400 relay team that won at the 2017 Big Ten Indoor Championships.
After tearing his hamstring in early 2018, Chisena ended his track career after two seasons in order to return to the football team. He played in two games as a junior and was awarded a football scholarship during the team’s spring game after hauling in a 59-yard touchdown pass. As a senior, he appeared in all twelve games for the Nittany Lions and finished the season with three receptions for 66 yards, catching the attention of NFL scouts with his size and track speed.
Dan Chisena Career
Early Career (2020-2022)
Chisena signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on April 26, 2020, and made the team’s 53-man active roster out of training camp. The Vikings valued him primarily for his special teams potential and his versatility, converting him to safety to maximize his athletic profile. Chisena made his NFL debut in the season opener on September 13, 2020, against the Green Bay Packers, playing exclusively on special teams.
During his rookie season, Chisena played in 14 games, recording six tackles and one fumble recovery. The fumble recovery came on October 4, 2020, when he recovered a muffed punt by DeAndre Carter in a 31-23 win over the Houston Texans. In 2021, he was placed on injured reserve on September 1 before being activated and waived on October 9, then re-signed to the active roster on October 12. He was waived by the Vikings on August 30, 2022, and spent the rest of that year on their practice squad.
Minnesota Vikings Breakthrough (2020-2022)
Chisena’s most consistent stretch of early production came during his first tenure with the Minnesota Vikings, where he appeared in 14 games as a rookie in 2020. Operating primarily as a core special teamer, he contributed on kick and punt coverage units while learning the nuances of NFL schemes. His fumble recovery against Houston stood as the defining moment of his first professional season.
Though his playing time was limited in 2021 and 2022 due to injury and roster moves, Chisena remained on NFL rosters thanks to his tackling reliability and team-first approach. His time in Minnesota established him as a developmental prospect with the tools to stick in the league.
Carolina Panthers Era (2024-Present)
Chisena signed with the Carolina Panthers practice squad on October 16, 2024, and was promoted to the active roster on December 17. With Carolina, he returned to playing wide receiver, the position he played in college, and finished the season with three catches for 38 yards. On March 12, 2025, Chisena signed a one-year deal with the Panthers to remain with the organization.
He was waived with an injury settlement on July 29, 2025, before being re-signed to the practice squad on September 23. The Panthers valued his special teams experience and his experience at multiple positions across the roster. Chisena continues to compete for a depth role in the Carolina wide receiver room.
Notable Events and Milestones
Chisena’s signature NFL moment came during his rookie season when he recovered a muffed punt by DeAndre Carter against the Houston Texans on October 4, 2020. That play highlighted the value he brought on special teams coverage units. He also earned a football scholarship at Penn State after a 59-yard touchdown catch during the team’s spring game, a turning point that set up his professional career.
Dan Chisena Career Wins
Dan Chisena’s professional resume is built more on special teams contributions and positional versatility than on headline statistics. Across his time with the Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, and Carolina Panthers, he has appeared in regular-season games and remained a consistent presence on practice squads. He has notched a verified fumble recovery in regular-season play and limited receptions as a wide receiver in Carolina.
NFL Career Highlights
Chisena’s most notable statistical contributions came during his 2020 rookie season with the Vikings, when he played in 14 games, recorded six tackles on special teams, and recovered a fumble. In 2024 with the Panthers, he added three receptions for 38 yards while transitioning back to wide receiver. His career arc has been defined by perseverance through multiple practice squad moves and short stints on active rosters across six different organizations.
Other Wins and Performances
Before his professional career, Chisena won three gold medals at the 2015 PIAA Class AAA Outdoor State Championship in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4×100 relay. At Penn State, he was part of the 4×400 relay team that captured the 2017 Big Ten Indoor Championships. His track and field accolades remain some of the most decorated achievements of his athletic career.
Dan Chisena Family
Personal Life
Public information about Dan Chisena’s personal life is limited. He was born and raised in the Philadelphia suburbs of Pennsylvania and has continued to build his professional football career in the United States. Details about his parents, spouse, and children have not been publicly verified.
2025 Season Performance
Dan Chisena signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers on March 12, 2025, signaling the organization’s intent to retain his services. The deal came after a 2024 campaign in which he returned to wide receiver and contributed on special teams, finishing the year with three receptions for 38 yards. The Panthers valued his track record of special teams reliability and his positional flexibility when bringing him back.
Chisena’s 2025 outlook shifted when he was waived with an injury settlement on July 29, 2025. He did not stay away from the organization for long, however, as Carolina re-signed him to the practice squad on September 23. His path back to the active roster will likely depend on his recovery, his performance on scout team work, and the team’s evolving depth chart at wide receiver and on special teams.
As the season progresses, Chisena remains a developmental and special teams option for the Panthers. His combination of size, track speed, and prior NFL experience gives him a realistic opportunity to earn game-day elevations as Carolina evaluates its roster.