NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/6/16
Thursday’s practice squad moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DE Larry Webster (Twitter link via Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer)
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DL Gabe Wright
- Cut: WR Darius Jennings
Cam Newton Unlikely To Play Monday
If the defending NFC champion Panthers are going to start digging out out of a 1-3 hole in Week 5, they might have to do it without quarterback Cam Newton. The reigning NFL MVP remains in concussion protocol as a result of a fourth-quarter hit in the Panthers’ 48-33 loss to the Falcons last Sunday and has missed back-to-back practices. As a result, he’s unlikely to suit up Monday in Tampa Bay, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.
While it could benefit Newton and the Panthers that he has an extra day to recover, the club only has two light practices remaining before Monday. That doesn’t bode well for a player who must successfully go through the NFL’s various steps to return from a concussion, as Person notes.
Newton hasn’t missed a game since 2014, and the two he sat out that year also came against the NFC South rival Buccaneers (1-3). Derek Anderson, who will start Monday if Newton can’t, completed 49-of-74 passes for 507 yards and three touchdowns in those matchups as he helped the Panthers to a pair of wins. Anderson relieved Newton last week and turned in an uneven performance, connecting on 17-of-23 attempts for 172 yards, two scores and two interceptions.
Newton led the Panthers to a 15-1 record last year while combining for 45 TDs (35 passing, 10 rushing) and nearly 4,500 total yards, but he hasn’t been nearly as effective this season. With five interceptions, the sixth-year man is already halfway to last season’s 16-game total and has also experienced a drop-off in most other major statistical categories. More alarmingly, he has now dealt with concussion questions multiple times in less than a month. In a Week 1 loss to the Broncos, Newton absorbed a handful of helmet-to-helmet hits, though team doctors determined that he didn’t suffer a concussion.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Panthers Audition Three
- Former Denver defensive lineman David Moala worked out for the Panthers today, a source told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Carolina also auditioned DT Bruce Gaston and DE Chris McCain, per Balzer (Twitter link).
Panthers Re-Sign Brenton Bersin
- The Panthers are re-signing wide receiver Brenton Bersin, reports Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Bersin was waived a few days ago so that Carolina could add more defensive line depth. The man who originally replaced Bersin — defensive end Larry Webster — has now been cut, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
14 Players Returning From Suspension
Fourteen players will return from four-game suspensions this week, according to Howard Balzer (Twitter links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). The most high-profile returnee, of course, is quarterback Tom Brady, who will re-join the 3-1 Patriots on Sunday against the Browns.
The following players have completed their suspensions:
- QB Tom Brady, Patriots
- DL Armonty Bryant, free agent (waived by the Browns today)
- CB Jalen Collins, Falcons
- LB Aaron Colvin, Jaugars
- DT Marcell Dareus, Bills
- T Seantrel Henderson, Bills
- DE Arthur Jones, Colts
- DE Demarcus Lawrence, Cowboys
- LB Aaron Lynch, 49ers
- DE Rob Ninkovich, Patriots
- G Chris Scott, Panthers
- DL Damion Square, Chargers
- T Zach Sterup, free agent
- TE Darren Waller, Ravens
The club that employs each player will receive a short roster exemption that ends the day following the team’s Week 5 game. that means the 49ers’ exemption for Lynch ends Friday, the Panthers’ exemption for Scott ends next Tuesday, and the rest end next Monday.
Sterup, meanwhile, was on the Chiefs’ practice squad when he was banned, but he hasn’t completed the PED reinstatement requirements, according to Balzer. So although he can sign with a new club, Sterup can’t practice or play until he’s approved by the league.
Panthers Promote DE Larry Webster
The Panthers have promoted defensive end Larry Webster in advance of Sunday’s game against the Falcons, according to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link). Carolina opened up a roster spot by waiving wide receiver Brenton Bersin earlier today.
[RELATED: Panthers Sign Michael Griffin, Kyle Love]
Webster will act as a safety net for a Panthers defensive line that is already banged up just three games into the season. Veteran defensive end Charles Johnson is dealing with a quad injury and is questionable for Sunday’s contest after not practicing on Friday. Rookie defensive tackle Vernon Butler, meanwhile, has already been ruled out with an ankle ailment. Carolina, in turn, re-signed DT Kyle Love as insurance earlier this week.
Webster, 26, was a fourth-round pick of the Lions in 2014. He spent the first two seasons of his career with Detroit — on both the active and practice roster — but never saw a regular season snap. The Panthers snatched him up via a futures deal this winter.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Panthers Cut Brenton Bersin
The Panthers have cut wide receiver Brenton Bersin, reports Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). No corresponding move has been made, but Person 
wonders if the team may be looking to acquire some offensive line depth. Starting left tackle Michael Oher will miss this weekend’s game with a concussion.
Bersin joined the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2012. The Wofford College product had a solid rookie campaign, hauling in 13 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown. He also served as one of the Panthers’ return men, averaging nearly 24-yards on kickoffs and six-yards on punts. The 26-year-old played nine games (two starts) in 2015, but he’s only seen the field for one of the Panthers’ three games in 2016. Bersin also briefly spent time playing for the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League.
According to Roster Resource, the Panthers now have five wideouts on their roster: Kelvin Benjamin, Ted Ginn Jr., Devin Funchess, Corey Brown, and Damiere Byrd.
Panthers Waive Kevin Norwood Off IR
- The Panthers waived wide receiver Kevin Norwood off injured reserve, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter links). Norwood, a 2014 fourth-round pick of the Seahawks, was last year dealt to Carolina for a conditional 2017 seventh-round pick. Seattle will still receive the draft choice in return even though Norwood is no longer on the roster, per Condotta.
Practice Squad Updates: 9/29/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: S Marcus Ball (Twitter link via Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer)
New York Giants
- Signed: G Jon Halapio (Twitter link via Jordan Raanan of ESPN)
Details On Deals For Griffin, Love
- Safety Michael Griffin and defensive tackle Kyle Love each got one-year deals when they signed with the Panthers, according to the team’s official announcement. Carolina agreed to sign both players on Tuesday afternoon.