The Carolina Panthers are a bit thin at running back and on the back end of their defense right now. Today, they brought in two free agents at each spot who might be able to help.
Here is a review of who came in for Tuesday tryouts.
RB Tavien Feaster – South Carolina
In college, Feaster (six-foot, 221 pounds) played 48 games for the Gamecocks, totaling 2,002 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on 346 attempts, an average of 5.8 yards per carry. He was also used sparingly as a receiver, posting 40 receptions, 270 yards and one touchdown catch. At this level, he’s put in time with the Jaguars, Giants and Lions.
RB Wes Hills – Slippery Rock
Hills (6-foot-2, 218 pounds) was named First Team All-PSAC West in 2018. That year he lit up Cal for 248 yards and four touchdowns. He was a participant in the 2019 Senior Bowl, where he posted a 21-yard run. Hills then went undrafted and spent last season with the Lions, playing only 23 offensive snaps.
Rodney Smith fumbled in Sunday’s win over the Lions, so he might be out of favor. Either Feaster or Hills could wind up taking his spot at the bottom of the depth chart.
DB Picasso Nelson Jr. – Southern Mississippi
Nelson (5-foot-10, 195 pounds) is a second-generation football player who did a bit of everything in college. He racked up five interceptions, 13 passes defensed and 11.5 tackles for a loss in 47 career games for the Golden Eagles. He was on the practice squad for the Titans earlier this year.
CB Travis Reed – South Alabama
Reed (6-foot-1, 175 pounds) is a rookie who posted three interceptions, three tackles for a loss and 10 passes defensed in his Senior year at South Alabama. The Colts were the first team to sign him as a UDFA.
Reading between the lines, we can probably assume that both Christian McCaffrey (shoulder) and Donte Jackson (toe) will sit out this weekend’s game against the Vikings, hence bringing in more depth at both positions.
In related news, the team also re-signed safety Sean Chandler to their practice squad and released kicker Taylor Bertolet again.
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