Here are Saturday’s practice squad decisions:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DE Calvin Taylor
- Released: DB Trajan Bandy
Washington Football Team
- Signed: LB Jordan Kunaszyk
The Panthers are the first team of the day to officially get down to 53 players. The team’s moves are below:
Waived:
- DT Myles Adams
- DB Quin Blanding
- RB Reggie Bonnafon
- OT Branden Bowen
- DT Woodrow Hamilton
- DT Bruce Hector
- OG Mike Horton
- DB Jameson Houston
- WR Ishmael Hyman
- DB Natrell Jamerson
- DE Jalen Jelks
- LB Jordan Kunaszyk
- DE Austin Larkin
- WR Marken Michel
- OT Aaron Monterio
- LB James Onwualu
- LB Chris Orr
- WR Cam Phillips
- TE Giovanni Ricci
- WR Darrell Stewart
- C Sam Tecklenburg
- TE Colin Thompson
- K/P Kaare Vedvik
Released:
One of the most notable names on the list is Bonnafon, who has been with the organization since 2018. The running back appeared in 16 games last season, rushing for 116 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries. He also hauled in six receptions for 57 yards.
Of course, considering that the NFL was expanded practice squads to 16 players for the 2020 campaign, there’s a good chance that Bonnafon (along with several other players on this list) end up being retained by the organization.
The Panthers are the latest team to announced their 2019 undrafted free agent crop following the conclusion of last weekend’s draft. Carolina has agreed to terms with the following four players:
- Corrion Ballard, S (Utah)
- Elijah Holyfield, RB (Georgia)
- Damion Jeanpiere Jr., WR (Nicholls State)
- Jordan Kunaszyk, LB (California)
As Josh Norris of Rotoworld recently tweeted, the Panthers have been among the active NFL teams in signing Alliance of American Football veterans. Just this week, Carolina inked a pair of ex-AAF tight ends, bringing its total of AAF alums to eight. As such, the club didn’t necessarily have the roster space to add many undrafted collegiate free agents.
Holyfield, the son of heavyweight boxer Evander Holyfield, was viewed as a potential late-round pick, and Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared him to NFL veteran Mark Ingram. Holyfield will compete with Cameron Artis-Payne, Elijah Hood, Reggie Bonnafon, and rookie fifth-rounder Jordan Scarlett for playing time behind Christian McCaffrey.