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). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions. Chisena entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and has since built a reputation as a special teams contributor across multiple franchises. His journey from a dual-sport athlete at Downingtown East High School to a professional football player reflects his versatility and determination.
Early Life and Background
Chisena was born in Paoli, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. His athletic prowess was evident from an early age, excelling in both football and track and field. He attended Downingtown East High School, where he was a two-sport athlete, competing in football and serving as a sprinter on the track team.
During his senior year of high school football, Chisena earned first-team All-Ches-Mont League honors after catching 41 passes for 553 yards and three touchdowns. His track career was equally impressive. In 2015, he won gold medals in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4×100 relay at the PIAA Class AAA Outdoor State Championship, demonstrating the speed that would later benefit his football career.
Path to American Football
Chisena began his collegiate career at Pennsylvania State University as a walk-on athlete for both the football and track teams. He redshirted during his freshman year to adjust to the collegiate level. At the end of his freshman year, he was offered a track scholarship, which required him to leave the football team temporarily due to NCAA rules.
On the track, Chisena continued to excel. He finished third in the 400 meters at the 2017 Big Ten Conference Outdoor Championships and was part of the Penn State team that won the 4×400 relay at the 2017 Indoor Championships. However, a hamstring injury in early 2018 led him to leave the track team after two seasons and focus entirely on football.
Chisena returned to the football field for his junior season, playing in two games. He earned a football scholarship for his final season during the team’s spring game, where he caught a 59-yard touchdown pass. As a senior, he appeared in all twelve of the Nittany Lions’ games and recorded three receptions for 66 yards.
Dan Chisena Career
Minnesota Vikings First Stint (2020–2022)
Chisena signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on April 26, 2020. His special teams ability and versatility earned him a spot on the Vikings’ 53-man active roster out of training camp. The coaching staff converted him to safety to maximize his value on special teams units.
He made his NFL debut in the season opener on September 13, 2020, against the Green Bay Packers, playing on special teams. Chisena recorded his first career takeaway on October 4, 2020, recovering a fumble on a muffed punt during a 31–23 victory over the Houston Texans. He played in 14 games as a rookie, finishing the year with six tackles and a fumble recovery while exclusively playing special teams.
In 2021, Chisena was placed on injured reserve on September 1. He was activated and then waived in October before being re-signed to the active roster. The following year, he was waived on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the following day.
League Journeys (2023–2024)
Chisena signed a reserve/future contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 23, 2023. He was released during final roster cuts on August 26. He joined the Vikings for a second stint on October 11, 2023, signing to their practice squad, but was waived less than two months later.
On November 22, 2023, Chisena was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad and promoted to the active roster on December 2. He was released and re-signed to the practice squad multiple times before becoming a free agent after the season. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens practice squad on January 10, 2024, but did not earn a reserve/future contract.
Chisena returned to Arizona on February 6, 2024, signing another reserve/future contract with the Cardinals. He was waived and re-signed to the practice squad during training camp before being released in October.
Carolina Panthers Era (2024–Present)
On October 16, 2024, Chisena signed with the Carolina Panthers practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on December 17, 2024. With Carolina, he returned to his natural wide receiver position and finished the season with three catches for 38 yards.
On March 12, 2025, Chisena signed a one-year deal with the Panthers. He was waived with an injury settlement on July 29, 2025, but re-signed to the practice squad on September 23, 2025. He signed a reserve/future contract with Carolina on January 12, 2026, securing his spot for the 2026 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Chisena’s primary value lies in his special teams excellence and positional versatility. His track background provides him with elite speed that translates to his ability to stretch the field as a receiver. Teams have valued him for his willingness to play multiple positions, having lined up at both wide receiver and safety during his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
His NFL debut against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 of the 2020 season marked the beginning of his professional journey. The fumble recovery against the Houston Texans in his rookie year represented his first career takeaway. His return to wide receiver with the Panthers in late 2024 after playing significant snaps at safety earlier in his career demonstrated his adaptability.
Dan Chisena Career Statistics
Across his NFL career spanning five seasons with multiple teams, Chisena has contributed primarily on special teams while seeing limited action as a receiver. His career statistics reflect his role as a depth player and special teams specialist.
NFL Career Highlights
Chisena appeared in 14 games during his rookie season with the Vikings, recording six tackles and one fumble recovery. His 2024 season with the Panthers marked his return to offensive play as a wide receiver, where he caught three passes for 38 yards. His career totals include three receptions for 37 receiving yards, 15 total tackles, and one fumble recovery.
Career Trajectory
Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Chisena has demonstrated durability and adaptability across six different organizations. His ability to earn roster spots despite constant roster movement speaks to his value as a reliable special teams performer who can fill in at multiple positions when needed.
| Season | Team | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Total Tackles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Minnesota Vikings | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2024 | Carolina Panthers | 3 | 38 | — |
| Career | Multiple Teams | 3 | 37 | 15 |
Dan Chisena Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Specific details about Dan Chisena’s family background, including his parents, siblings, or any sports lineage, are not currently available in verified public sources.
Personal Life
Chisena maintains a presence in Pennsylvania, where he attended high school and college. His background as a dual-sport athlete at Penn State, excelling in both football and track, has shaped his approach to professional football. He continues to leverage his track speed as a weapon in his wide receiver role.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Chisena signing a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers in March. His tenure with the team was temporarily interrupted when he was waived with an injury settlement in late July, but he demonstrated his recovery by re-signing to the practice squad in September. The re-signing indicated the Panthers’ continued interest in his special teams abilities and depth at the receiver position.
Throughout the 2025 season, Chisena served primarily as a practice squad member, refining his skills at the wide receiver position while contributing to the team’s developmental pipeline. His experience from previous seasons with multiple franchises provided a veteran presence among younger players.
Looking ahead, Chisena’s January 2026 reserve/future contract with Carolina suggests the organization sees value in retaining him for the upcoming season. His career path demonstrates the trajectory of a fringe roster player who has carved out a niche as a reliable special teams contributor capable of filling in at multiple positions when called upon.