Tag: Deven Thompkins

Panthers announce 3 moves ahead of Week 9 matchup vs. Saints

The Panthers called up some depth for tomorrow’s matchup against the Saints.

The Carolina Panthers made a few adjustments before tomorrow’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

As announced on Saturday afternoon, the team has signed tight end Jordan Matthews to the active roster. The 32-year-old was in his second stint on Carolina’s practice squad this season.

Matthews was the Panthers’ second-leading receiver during preseason play, where he amassed 68 yards and a touchdown on seven catches.

He’ll provide some depth at the tight end position for the NFC South showdown with Tommy Tremble (back) listed as questionable and Feleipe Franks (concussion) already out.

The Panthers also elevated wide receiver Deven Thompkins and cornerback Caleb Farley from the practice squad. Sunday will mark the first elevation for Thompkins and the second for Farley, who recorded six snaps on defense and five on special teams in last Sunday’s 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos.

In addition, the team downgraded running back Jonathon Brooks (knee), wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring), defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy (ankle), outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum (quadriceps) and safety Jordan Fuller (hamstring) to out for the contest.

[lawrence-related id=706151,706113,706073]

Panthers bring back 2 players to practice squad on Monday

Speedy WR Deven Thompkins has returned to the Panthers.

The Carolina Panthers are still sorting out their wideout room in the absence of Adam Thielen.

As announced on Monday, the team has signed receiver Deven Thompkins to their practice squad. The 24-year-old was a member of Carolina’s summer roster before being waived/injured on Aug. 11.

Thompkins spent the 2023 campaign alongside Panthers head coach Dave Canales, who was serving as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator. Canales gave reporters an idea of what the team was getting in the speedy 5-foot-8, 155-pounder when they added him during the offseason.

“I’m excited to get him in here,” he said of Thompkins back in July. “He’s another kick returner as well. He’s got some explosive elements to his play—so, really fun. Brings a different style of guy. We got a really big, strong group. But it’s also good to have those change-of-pace guys that can attack the defense a different way.”

Thielen, the offense’s primary slot receiver, was placed on injured reserve last Tuesday due to the hamstring injury he sustained in Week 3’s 36-22 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Thompkins, under Canales, played 63.7 percent of his snaps from the inside this past season.

Carolina also signed tight end Stephen Sullivan to the practice squad. Sullivan appeared in 28 games for the Panthers between 2021 and 2023.

To help make some room for the returns, the team released rookie wideout Sam Pinckney from the group.

[lawrence-related id=704288,704273,704271]

Panthers sign 3 players on Sunday

The Panthers are adding some much-needed depth to their offensive line.

The Carolina Panthers have found some much-needed depth for their offensive front.

As announced on Sunday morning, the team has signed interior lineman Jack Anderson. The addition was first reported by Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer late Saturday night.

A Plano, Texas native, Anderson attended nearby Texas Tech University from 2017 to 2020. He started every one of his games for the Red Raiders at right guard, where he’d earn a Second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2018 and a First-team All-Big 12 selection in his senior campaign of 2020.

The 6-foot-4, 314-pounder would crack into the NFL as a seventh-round selection of the Buffalo Bills in 2021. After failing to make the team’s initial 53-man roster as a rookie, Anderson was brought back to the practice squad to start the year.

Three weeks in, Anderson was signed away from Buffalo by the Philadelphia Eagles. He went on to appear in two games for Philly that season.

Anderson has since played in 12 games for the New York Giants (2022) and one for the Indianapolis Colts (2023).

Carolina also signed defensive tackle Walter Palmore and wide receiver Tayvion Robinson, both of whom have previously spent time with the organization.

In the corresponding moves to make room for the additions, the Panthers waived running back Jaden Shirden and Willie Drew and waived/injured wide receiver Deven Thompkins.

[lawrence-related id=701598,701561,701566]

Panthers HC Dave Canales asked about decision to sign WR Deven Thompkins

The Panthers’ addition of WR Deven Thompkins doesn’t come without a few questions.

Who is Deven Thompkins and what can he do?

Following the Back Together Saturday installment of training camp, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales was asked about one of his team’s newest additions. And Canales, who spent the 2023 season as Thompkins’ offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay, called the 24-year-old a “good energy guy.”

“I’m excited to get him in here,” he said. “He’s another kick returner as well. He’s got some explosive elements to his play—so, really fun. Brings a different style of guy. We got a really big, strong group. But it’s also good to have those change-of-pace guys that can attack the defense a different way.”

The 5-foot-8, 155-pounder didn’t attack defenses too badly with the Buccaneers this past season, as he amassed 83 yards and one touchdown on 17 receptions. He did, however, prove his worth on special teams—serving as Tampa’s primary kick and punt returner.

But Thompkins doesn’t come without some questions, as he was accused of domestic violence by his estranged wife Maria Castillos back in May. Thompkins, who would be waived by the Buccaneers later that month, then denied the allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit against Castillos.

Canales spoke on what he could about the team’s decision of adding Thompkins following the accusations.

“We had to be patient,” Canales said. “We had to wait for the league to process it before they can give us a green light on it.”

The NFL, in a statement via spokesman Brian McCarthy on July 15, announced that they did not find “sufficient evidence” to hold Thompkins accountable for violating the Personal Conduct Policy.

Update (12:39 a.m. ET):

[lawrence-related id=699522,700091,700204]

Panthers’ updated roster following Thursday’s addition of Deven Thompkins

Gallery: Updated Panthers roster following Thursday’s signing of WR Deven Thompkins

On Thursday, the Carolina Panthers added a new set of hands—signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Deven Thompkins after the second outing of training camp.

So as we continue to settle into the summer, let’s take an updated look at the team’s current roster following the move:

Panthers sign former Buccaneers WR Deven Thompkins

The Panthers added former Buccaneers WR Deven Thompkins on Thursday.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales has been reunited with a familiar pair of hands.

As officially announced on Thursday, the team has signed wideout Deven Thompkins. The 5-foot-8, 155-pound receiver spent last season under Canales, who had served as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A Fort Meyers, Fla. native, Thompkins headed out west to play his college ball at Utah State University from 2018 to 2021. He capped off his four-year stay with a stellar senior campaign—reeling in 102 passes for 1,704 yards and 10 touchdowns en route to a First-team All-Mountain West selection and a Third-team AP All-American nod.

Thompkins would then enter the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Buccaneers in 2022. He amassed 22 receptions for 115 yards and a score as well as totals of 28 kick returns and 31 punt returns over his two pro seasons.

To make room for Thompkins, the Panthers waived/injured rookie defensive lineman Popo Aumavae. According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, Aumavae sustained an Achilles injury during the opening outing of training camp on Wednesday.

[lawrence-related id=700047,700070,700064]

Bucs waive WR Deven Thompkins with injury settlement

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reached an injury settlement with wide receiver Deven Thompkins, waiving him from injured reserve

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reached an injury settlement with wide receiver Deven Thompkins, waiving him from injured reserve, per multiple reports.

Thompkins was originally waived with an injury designation last month, but then reverted to the Bucs’ injured reserve list after clearing waivers. This settlement now removes him from Tampa Bay’s roster completely.

The Bucs signed multiple wide receivers in recent days to help replace Thompkins, adding Sterling Shepard and Cody Thompson to the roster.

[lawrence-related id=86894]

Bucs waive WR Deven Thompkins

The Buccaneers waive wide receiver Deven Thompkins with an injury designation.

The Buccaneers have waived wide receiver Deven Thompkins with an injury designation. If he goes unclaimed, he will automatically be placed on Tampa Bay’s injured reserve list.

Thompkins joined the Bucs as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He saw limited action as a receiver over the last two seasons, catching 22 passes for 115 yards and one touchdown. However, Thompkins was one of Tampa Bay’s primary returners last season, taking back 16 kickoffs and 25 punts.

Thompkins was the most experienced receiver on the roster behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Waiving him potentially opens a roster spot for a rising receiver in Tampa Bay. Draft picks Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer are likely locks to make the roster, and second-year receiver Rakim Jarrett has the most experience of the remaining receivers. That leaves Cephus Johnson III, Ryan Miller and undrafted rookies Tanner Knue, Latreal Jones and Kameron Johnson vying for the sixth receiver spot.

WATCH: Bucs WR Deven Thompkins shows off route-running skills

Watch Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Deven Thompkins hard at work improving his route-running ability

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers found lightning in a bottle when they signed wide receiver Deven Thompkins as an undrafted free agent out of Utah State in 2022.

Undersized but explosive, Thompkins was highly productive for the Aggies, but his small stature likely contributed to him not being selected in the 2022 NFL draft. The Bucs wisely snatched him up after the draft, and appear to have found themselves a bargain.

He’s delivered flashes of brilliance for the Bucs over the past two seasons, and he’s still hard at work trying to improve his route-running skills, as evidenced by this video that surfaced on social media this week:

Behind veteran leaders like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, as well as fellow young speedster Trey Palmer, Thompkins should once again have plenty of chances to show off his explosiveness during the 2024 season.

[lawrence-related id=86002]