Panthers Release K Matthew Wright, Waive 17
The Panthers settled their kicker situation and halved their quarterback depth chart. Here are the first wave of Carolina cuts ahead of Tuesday’s roster-setting deadline:
Released:
Waived:
- QB Jack Plummer
- QB Bryce Perkins
- RB Emani Bailey
- RB Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams
- WR Kobe Hudson
- WR Jacolby George
- WR TJ Luther
- TE Dominique Dafney
- OL Steven Losoya
- OL Luke Kandra
- OLB JJ Weaver
- LB Jacoby Windmon
- CB JaTravis Broughton
- CB Mello Dotson
- CB Tre Swilling
- S Jack Henderson
- S Isaac Gifford
The Wright release leaves rookie UDFA Ryan Fitzgerald as the only kicker on Carolina’s roster. Making a career as a fill-in kicker (save for a full-season 2022 Jaguars stop), Wright has kicked for six teams in games. This was the veteran specialist’s second Panthers stop; he filled in for Eddy Pineiro for a game during the 2023 season.
The Panthers did not re-sign Pineiro this offseason; as of now, they are planning to go with Fitzgerald, a Florida State alum part of the team’s priority free agent class this year. Dave Canales said recently the Panthers were still looking around at kicker. They are a team to watch regarding a late addition — via the waiver wire or free agency. It should be noted Pineiro, the Panthers’ three-year option who is the third-most accurate kicker in NFL history, remains available.
Perkins and Plummer brought the Panthers’ QB count to four; now, only Bryce Young and Andy Dalton are rostered. One of the QBs figures to receive a look for the practice squad, but the Panthers will have other options to look at as P-squad candidates following the other 31 teams’ cuts. Teams are seeing an early preview of who will be available today, as dozens are being released around the league. Perkins only signed with the Panthers last week; Plummer spent most of last season on Carolina’s practice squad, making him a more realistic candidate to land there.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/6/25
With the regular season having come to an end, many teams have started signing players to reserve/futures contracts. This allows organization to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players. Here are the latest reserve/futures contracts:
Arizona Cardinals
- WR Andre Baccellia, CB Jaden Davis, CB Darren Hall, OL Matthew Jones, WR Tejhaun Palmer, TE Bernhard Seikovits, DL Ben Stille
Atlanta Falcons
- DT Junior Aho, WR Phillip Dorsett, RB Elijah Dotson, WR Dylan Drummond, G Joey Fisher, G Jovaughn Gwyn, DB Lamar Jackson, QB Emory Jones, DE Khalid Kareem, WR Jesse Matthews, DB Benny Sapp III, OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Carolina Panthers
- RB Emani Bailey, G Ja’Tyre Carter, TE Dominique Dafney, LB Kenny Dyson, LB Thomas Incoom, WR T.J. Luther, TE Jordan Matthews, WR Dax Milne, C Andrew Raym, G Brandon Walton
Chicago Bears
- OL Theo Benedet, OL Chris Glaser, WR John Jackson, LB Carl Jones Jr., DL Jamree Kromah, QB Austin Reed, OL Ricky Stromberg, WR Samori Toure, TE Joel Wilson
Cleveland Browns
- G Javion Cohen, S Trey Dean, DE Marcus Haynes, OT Roy Mbaeteka, TE Tre’ McKitty, OT Julian Pearl, DE Elerson Smith, K Andre Szmyt, OT Lorenzo Thompson
Dallas Cowboys
- G Jack Anderson, DB Luq Barcoo, DT Denzel Daxon, WR Kelvin Harmon, LB Brock Mogensen, WR Jalen Moreno-Cropper, DB Troy Pride Jr., LB Luiji Vilain, WR Seth Williams
Indianapolis Colts
- RB Salvon Ahmed, LB Austin Ajiake, LB Liam Anderson, QB Jason Bean, S Marcel Dabo, CB Alex Johnson, G Atonio Mafi, TE Sean McKeon, WR D.J. Montgomery, DE Durell Nchami, TE Albert Okwuegbunam, DT Pheldarius Payne, G Josh Sills, WR Laquon Treadwell
Las Vegas Raiders
- DE David Agoha, OT Gottlieb Ayedze, CB M.J. Devonshire, CB Keenan Isaac, WR Shedrick Jackson, WR Tyreik McAllister, DE Ovie Oghoufo, C Will Putnam, LB Brandon Smith, RB Isaiah Spiller, OT Dalton Wagner, WR Kristian Wilkerson
New York Giants
- K Jude McAtamney, DL Ross Blacklock, C Bryan Hudson, C Jimmy Morrissey, DL Casey Rogers
New York Jets
- OL Zack Bailey, RB Zach Evans, T Obinna Eze, TE Zack Kuntz, G Kohl Levao, QB Adrian Martinez, LB Jackson Sirmon, WR Brandon Smith, DB Tre Swilling, WR Easop Winston
San Francisco 49ers
- DL Jonathan Garvin, OL Sebastian Gutierrez, DL Tarron Jackson, OL Zack Johnson, CB Chase Lucas, S Jaylen Mahoney, QB Tanner Mordecai, OL Drake Nugent, WR Terique Owens, TE Mason Pline, WR Trent Taylor
Seattle Seahawks
- DT Quinton Bohanna, CB Ryan Cooper, LB Michael Dowell, CB Tyler Hall, C Mike Novitsky, DE Kenneth Odumegwu, S Ty Okada, WR Cornell Powell, LB Jamie Sheriff, LB Tyreke Smith, CB Damarion Williams
Tennessee Titans
- DT McTelvin Agim, DT Abdullah Anderson, LB Curtis Bolton, OL Chandler Brewer, DT Isaiah Iton, CB Gabe Jeudy-Lally, OLB Kyron Johnson, WR Stanley Morgan, TE Thomas Odukoya, S Gervarrius Owens, T Isaiah Prince, RB Jabari Small
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/3/24
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: RB Elijah Dotson
- Released: LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams, K Riley Patterson
Buffalo Bills
- Released: WR Deon Cain
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: RB Emani Bailey, TE Dominique Dafney, LB Thomas Incoom, WR T.J. Luther
- Released: S Alex Cook, WR Sam Pinckney
- Placed on IR: RB Dillon Johnson, TE Stephen Sullivan
Chicago Bears
- Signed: RB Demetric Felton, G Austen Pleasants
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Maurice Alexander
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Liam Anderson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LS Tucker Addington, P Matt Haack, QB John Wolford
- Released: OL Jerome Carvin, DE Joe Gaziano, CB Tyler Hall
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: RB John Kelly
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DT Jack Heflin, NT Kevin Strong, DB Charles Woods
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: RB Myles Gaskin
New England Patriots
- Signed: DE Truman Jones
- Released: G Michael Jordan
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: S Millard Bradford, C Sincere Haynesworth
- Released: RB Jacob Kibodi
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: FB Khari Blasingame
- Released: WR John Ross
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Ronnie Bell, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: NT Quinton Bohanna, C Mike Novitsky
- Released: TE N’Keal Harry
With Trevor Lawrence currently in concussion protocol, the Jaguars have added some QB depth to the organization. John Wolford brings four games of starting experience to Jacksonville, all coming with the Rams between 2020 and 2022. The Wake Forest product went 2-2 in those appearances, tossing one touchdown vs. five interceptions. He’ll slide in behind Mac Jones and C.J. Beathard in the franchise’s QB pecking order.
The Eagles added a veteran fullback to their roster in Khari Blasingame. The 28-year-old has appeared in 66 games since entering the league in 2019, collecting 131 yards from scrimmage on 24 carries. The Eagles recently lost part-time fullback Ben VanSumeren for the season, opening a role for a handful of blocking snaps per game.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/6/24
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: S Russ Yeast
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: S Alex Cook, WR Cam Johnson
- Released: LB Chandler Wooten
Houston Texans
- Signed: DT Jayden Peevy
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LB Cole Christiansen
- Released: RB Emani Bailey
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Shaquille Quarterman, TE Eric Tomlinson
- Released: TE McCallan Castles
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: T Ryan Hayes
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DL Ryder Anderson
New York Giants
- Signed: P Matt Haack, OL Bryan Hudson
- Released: T Joshua Miles
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DL Domenique Davis, TE Matt Sokol
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Russell Gage
- Released: WR Malik Turner
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Jamie Sheriff
While a few players in today’s roundup are catching back on with teams after being cut from their respective club’s active roster, the 49ers are adding Gage. This marks the veteran wideout’s first gig since the Ravens cut him following training camp. Gage, who totaled 700-plus-yard seasons with the Falcons in 2020 and 2021, did not justify a three-year, $30MM Buccaneers contract. The 28-year-old receiver has not played in a regular-season game since suffering a season-nullifying knee injury — a patellar tendon rupture — during Bucs camp in 2023.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/31/24
Saturday’s practice squad moves:
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: RB Emani Bailey
- Released: DT Matt Dickerson, DT Neil Farrell
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/30/24
Many teams used Friday to make further adjustments to their practice squads. Here is the full breakdown:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: OLB Adedayo Odeleye
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: QB John Wolford, WR Deon Cain, OL Brandon Walton
- Released: S Alex Cook, DT Walter Palmore, OL Mason Brooks
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LB Levelle Bailey
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: FB Andrew Beck, CB Kamal Hadden, RB La’Mical Perine
- Placed on IR: RB Nate McCrary
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: QB John Rhys Plumlee
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: CB Nic Jones, DT Marlon Tuipulotu
- Released: RB Emani Bailey
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: CB M.J. Devonshire
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: RB Jaret Patterson
- Released: RB Isaiah Spiller
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DT Cory Durden
- Released: DT Tuli Letuligasenoa
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OLB William Bradley-King, T Anderson Hardy, RB Deneric Prince
New England Patriots
- Signed: CB Isaiah Bolden, LB Ochaun Mathis
New York Giants
- Signed: S Gervarrius Owens
- Released: LB K.J. Cloyd
New York Jets
- Signed: WR Jason Brownlee
- Released: WR Lance McCutcheon
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: S JT Woods
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: OL John Leglue, OL Doug Nester, LB Devin Harper, LB Adetokunbo Ogundeji, WR Brandon Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Tyreke Smith
Wolford’s seven regular season appearances to date have all come with the Rams. The 28-year-old spent last season with the Buccaneers, though, working with then-offensive coordinator Dave Canales. Canales is now the head coach in Carolina, and Wolford has followed him in a bid to earn a 53-man roster spot at some point during the season. The Panthers already had Jack Plummer on their taxi squad, but Wolford will offer Canales and Co. a more familiar option behind Bryce Young and Andy Dalton.
Chiefs Trim Roster To 53
Moving on from wideouts Kadarius Toney and Justyn Ross, the Chiefs are down to 53. Here is how the two-time defending champs got there:
Released:
- S Deon Bush
- LB Cole Christiansen
- DT Matt Dickerson
- TE Irv Smith Jr.
Waived:
- RB Emani Bailey
- LB Swayze Bozeman
- TE Baylor Cupp
- DT Neil Farrell
- T Chukwuebuka Godrick
- CB Kamal Hadden
- RB Keaontay Ingram
- LB Curtis Jacobs
- DE Truman Jones
- DT Fabian Lovett
- CB D.J. Miller
- T Lucas Niang
- QB Chris Oladokun
- WR Cornell Powell
- RB Deneric Prince
- RB Louis Rees-Zammit
- WR Nikko Remigio
- CB Keith Taylor
- WR Montrell Washington
Drafted in the 2020 third round with a path toward becoming the Chiefs’ starting right tackle, Niang has been unable to stay healthy. Niang’s contract tolled after he opted out of the 2020 season, and while he did start nine games during the ’21 campaign, the team has been unable to count on the TCU alum. Niang suffered a torn patellar tendon late in the 2021 slate and missed most of the ’22 season. Andrew Wylie took over at RT, and the Chiefs signed Jawaan Taylor to a $20MM-per-year deal in 2023.
The team traded for Cowboys tight end Peyton Hendershot earlier today, having done so months after drafting TCU’s Jared Wiley in Round 4. This will lead Smith off the roster. A second-generation NFL tight end, Smith has 21 starts on his resume but has also dealt with significant injury trouble.
Many of these players will end up on Kansas City’s practice squad, which can house up to six vested veterans. Waived players can begin joining teams’ P-squads — if they go unclaimed, that is — beginning at 11am CT on Wednesday.
Chiefs Sign 17-Man UDFA Class
The rich got richer last week when the winners of the last two Super Bowls drafted seven players, with the first three selections joining the team’s well-established offense. The Chiefs expanded their rookie class to 24 players by signing these 17 undrafted free agents:
- Emani Bailey, RB (TCU)
- Miles Battle, CB (Utah)
- Swayze Bozeman, LB (Southern Mississippi)
- Phillip Brooks, WR (Kansas State)
- Reggie Brown, WR (James Madison)
- Baylor Cupp, TE (Texas Tech)
- Ethan Driskell, T (Marshall)
- Curtis Jacobs, LB (Penn State)
- Fabien Lovett, DT (Florida State)
- Griffin McDowell, T (Tennessee-Chattanooga)
- McKade Mettauer, G (Oklahoma)
- Derrick Miller, CB (Kent State)
- Ryan Rehkow, P (BYU)
- Christian Roland-Wallace, CB (USC)
- Carson Steele, RB (UCLA)
- Nick Torres, G (Villanova)
- Luquay Washington, LB (Central Connecticut State)
The Chiefs return their top three rushers in Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and La’Mical Perine, but after finishing a middling 19th in the league in rushing yards, Kansas City may be taking some flyers on potential upgrades at the backup positions behind Pacheco. Bailey comes in after two seasons at Louisiana and two seasons at TCU. At each school he had a season in which he scored eight touchdowns, and he racked up 1,209 rushing yards in 2023. Steele arrives after two years at Ball State and one at UCLA. He led his team in rushing yards all three seasons and was first-team All-MAC in 2022 after leading the conference with 1,556 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Driskell was a surprising prospect to end up undrafted. He’s raw and needs NFL coaching to develop a role with the Chiefs, but his towering 6-foot-8 frame was expected to land him somewhere in the fifth or sixth round of the draft. Lovett was likewise expected to land in the fifth or sixth round but slipped out to an undrafted position unexpectedly. He has the ability to flash as a rotational defensive lineman, but a lack of consistency could cost him a spot on the 53-man roster.
After trading away L’Jarius Sneed in the offseason and drafting Kamal Hadden in the sixth round out of Tennessee, the Chiefs bring in three more prospects including Roland-Wallace. Roland-Wallace spent his final season with the Trojans after four years as a starter at Arizona. His quick twitch helped him rack up four interceptions and 29 passes defensed in college.
Even Rehkow was expected to get drafted after four years with the Cougars. The four-year punter saw his punting duties skyrocket in 2023 as BYU’s offense struggled mightily in their move to the Big 12.
NFL Draft Rumors: Falcons, Jaguars, Browns
The Falcons top two sack-getters last year (Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree) are currently free agents. And while free safety Jessie Bates‘ first season in Atlanta went swimmingly with career highs in tackles (132), forced fumbles (3), and interceptions (6), as well as Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors, he seemed to be the only player showing up each Sunday for the Falcons.
With all this in mind, it’s no surprise to hear that adding draft prospects on the defensive side of the ball is expected to be a major focus for Atlanta come this week’s draft, according to Adam Caplan of Pro Football Network. In Caplan’s most recent mock draft, he slotted Alabama pass rusher Dallas Turner as the team’s first-round pick. Previous iterations of his mock draft saw Atlanta taking Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins and Florida State pass rusher Jared Verse.
Going pass rusher seems to make more sense after losing Campbell and Dupree to free agency, but expect multiple picks throughout the three-day event to address both positions. Turner is likely the preferred option as most see him as the top pass rusher on the board, but Verse or even UCLA’s Laiatu Latu could be the selection if Turner is drafted before they have the chance to claim him.
Here are a few other draft rumors from around the NFL:
- The Jaguars are another team who are expected to favor defensive prospects later this week, per Caplan. Their situation isn’t nearly as dire after bringing in Arik Armstead, Darnell Savage, and Ronald Darby, but they still lost Darious Williams, Rayshawn Jenkins, K’Lavon Chaisson, and Dawuane Smoot in free agency. Caplan has Jacksonville selecting Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry as the fourth cornerback off the board. The Jaguars definitely are going to want to add to their cornerbacks group, but unless they decide to trade up, they’ll have to see what’s left of McKinstry, Wiggins, Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell, and Alabama’s Terrion Arnold.
- The Browns expect to have Nick Chubb back at some point in the coming season and will rely on Jerome Ford, Pierre Strong, and D’Onta Foreman in the meantime. Seeing how fragile the room is without Chubb, though, Cleveland has done plenty of homework on the 2024 NFL Draft’s running backs class. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the team has hosted Florida State’s Trey Benson, TCU’s Emani Bailey, and BYU’s Aidan Robbins for “top 30” visits. They may be looking to add some quality depth to the position later this week.