SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton calls himself the “Sensei of Nicknames,’’ but some leave you scratching your head.

Or laughing.

Or both.

That was the case after Thursday night’s preseason opener at Baltimore when the NFL MVP referred to second-year wide receiver Damiere Byrd as “Bud Light.’’

First, Byrd had some impressive moments on offense and special teams in the 22-19 loss. He proved wide receivers coach Ricky Proehl was right in May when he said the former University of South Carolina standout was “going to be someone to reckon with.’’

So we knew going in to keep an eye on Byrd, who would be locked in a tight battle for a roster spot.

But how Newton came up with “Bud Light’’ is worth revisiting.

For background, the Panthers have two wide receivers named Byrd -- LaRon and Damiere. Laron is 6-foot-4, so Newton calls him “Big Byrd.’’

That makes sense.

But then Newton explained how he got to the nickname for Damiere, at 5-9 among the smallest players on the team.

“When he first got here, the top of his head was like a cigarette bud,’’ said Newton, referring to Byrd’s fade haircut as a bud instead of a butt. “He’s the smaller of the two Byrds, so Bud kind of transformed into Bud Light.’’

Cute, in a strange sort of way.

But what’s important here is Byrd truly is transforming into a player who can impact the Panthers a year after signing as an undrafted free agent.

His issue isn’t his size, which three years ago might have been when new general manager Dave Gettleman began loading up with big receivers because Newton then had a tendency to throw high.

Byrd’s issue is that the Panthers are all but set with their top four receivers in Kelvin Benjamin (6-5), Devin Funchess (6-4), Ted Ginn Jr. (5-11) and Philly Brown (5-11). They may even be set with their top five if Thursday’s performance by Brenton Bersin (6-3) is an indication.

Bersin had a team-high five catches for 59 yards working with the first and second unit.

So for Byrd to make the roster, he had to show he can contribute on special teams as well as at receiver. Head coach Ron Rivera told him as much.

Byrd did that against the Ravens, making a spectacular one-handed catch for 35 yards in the second half.

Byrd also returned two kickoffs for 78 yards, including a 48-yarder he almost broke for a touchdown. He had three punt returns for nine yards.

He also muffed a punt with just under two minutes left that cost Carolina a final shot to win or tie, but Rivera made sure that didn’t nullify what he considered a good performance.

Shortly after the play, Rivera put his arm around Byrd to restore any lost confidence.

“He got a little carried away trying to make a play and that’s one of those things, but I’m not going to fault him for it,’’ Rivera said. “He’s trying to give us a chance to win and if he catches that in stride, who knows.

“Maybe if we do a better job holding up that gunner, maybe he doesn’t feel that pressure. It’s a lesson learned. I’m encouraged by his attitude, his willingness to bounce back.”

Newton liked what he saw as well.

“Bud Light, he’s got to find ways to stay confident,’’ said Newton, revealing the nickname and confidence he has in Byrd in one sentence. “When he’s confident he’s as good, if not one of our top-tier guys. He’s very shifty and fast.

“When he gets in that mentality no one can cover him, then he can be an asset for us.’’

Maybe it’ll even lead to a “Bud Light’’ commercial.