Tag: Dicaprio Bootle

Chargers sign ex-Chiefs DB ahead of Week 8 matchup vs. Cardinals on ‘Monday Night Football’

The #Chargers signed ex-#Chiefs DB Dicaprio Bootle to their active roster before their matchup against the #Cardinals on Monday Night Football

The Los Angeles Chargers announced that they signed former Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Dicaprio Bootle from their practice squad this afternoon ahead of their Week 7 matchup against the Cardinals on “Monday Night Football.”

Bootle, who was part of Kansas City’s Super Bowl LVII championship roster, played for the Chiefs in 2021 and 2022 but played for the Carolina Panthers last season.

A former Nebraska Cornhusker, Bootle was beloved by fans in Kansas City who always enjoyed hearing his name called on broadcasts during his two-year tenure with the Chiefs.

Though Bootle isn’t likely to appear in a starting role for Los Angeles’ secondary on Monday night, his presence as a special teams ace could be a boon for the Chargers.

 

It is unclear if Bootle will remain on Los Angeles’ active roster after this game, or if the Chargers intend to send him back down to the practice squad heading into Week 8.

Stay tuned to Los Angeles’ matchup against the Cardinals to see if the former Chiefs defensive back earns any playing time.

Chargers sign former Panthers CB just days ahead of Week 2 matchup

The Chargers signed former Panthers CB Dicaprio Bootle right ahead of their Week 2 matchup in Carolina.

The Los Angeles Chargers just got themselves a new defender, and perhaps a little intel, heading into their Week 2 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

As announced on Wednesday, the Chargers signed cornerback Dicaprio Bootle to their practice squad. The 26-year-old spent the the 2023 season and the 2024 offseason with the Panthers, who waived him on Aug. 27.

A product out of the University of Nebraska, Bootle cracked into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021. He’d stick around for two seasons, including the team’s Super Bowl LVII campaign in 2022.

Ironically enough, Bootle first joined the Panthers exactly one year ago—on Sept. 11, 2023. He’d appear in eight games for Carolina that season, amassing 14 combined tackles and a pair of pass defenses.

Bootle fell victim to the Panthers’ cutdown to their initial 53-man roster a few weeks back—as he was waived prior to the start of the regular season.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales speaks on team’s roster cuts

Panthers HC Dave Canales spoke a bit on the waves of roster moves between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Last week, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales stated that he was looking forward to the challenge of constructing his first initial 53-man roster. So, how is he feeling now that it’s over with?

He was asked that on Wednesday, following his team’s second practice of the week.

“I just really feel like we owe it to this team to look,” Canales said of the roster changes. “We looked across all the league and kinda compared it to the roster we had. And we’ve been talking about challenging our roster from the beginning. Really started off with the secondary room. And so, that was a place we really wanted to see if we can start trying to get a look at a lot of guys.”

After getting down to their first 53 on Tuesday, the Panthers turned around and claimed six new players off waivers earlier this afternoon. That secondary room is set to welcome in three of those hopeful additions—cornerbacks Keenan Isaac, Shemar Bartholomew and Tariq Castro-Fields.

But those additions resulted in some subtractions. Over the past few days, the Panthers have been forced to part ways with many of their guys—including a few summer standouts at the corner spot.

“The guys that were here—D’Shawn [Jamison], Dicaprio [Bootle], Lamar Jackson—all those guys. They did a fantastic job showing who they are,” Canales added. “We know who they are, we know what they look like. It’s gonna be a long season, but we wanted to make sure we got eyes on a lot of people to see who can help us this year.”

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Panthers 2024 roster cuts tracker

Keep it here as we track each move the Panthers make in getting to their initial 53-man roster

Despite the difficult decisions that lie ahead, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales isn’t shying away from the challenge of getting down to his very first 53-man roster.

“Yeah, it’s hard. And I’m excited for it,” he told reporters after last Wednesday’s practice. “When you respect and regard the whole unit and you’re kinda bringing everybody up at the same time—with the teaching, with the practices, the drill work and all those things as we improve everyone—it makes the decisions harder and harder.

“So I’m really excited about doing this with Dan [Morgan], with Brandt [Tilis], with the coaching staff. We’ve kinda had our touch-points throughout camp to evaluate where we’re at right now, and then we’ll have that culmination after we get through this last game.”

Well, they got through that game—besting the host Buffalo Bills in their final preseason outing of the summer on Saturday. So now, the “excitement” begins.

Keep it here, from now until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, as we track each of the team’s moves in the path to their initial 53-man roster for the 2024 season.

Cuts:

  • G Jack Anderson (waived)
  • WR Sam Pinckney (waived)
  • S Rudy Ford (released)
  • WR Michael Strachan (waived)
  • OLB Luiji Vilain (waived)
  • TE Feleipe Franks (waived)
  • RB Jaden Shirden (waived)
  • LB Chandler Wooten (waived)
  • CB Dicaprio Bootle (waived)
  • QB Jack Plummer (waived)
  • RB Mike Boone (released)
  • OLB Derrick McLendon (waived)
  • TE Jacob Hollister (released)
  • G Mason Brooks (waived)
  • OLB Kenny Dyson (waived)
  • WR Terrace Marshall Jr. (waived)
  • TE Jordan Matthews (released)
  • CB Willie Drew (waived)
  • DT Junior Aho (waived/injured)
  • OT Tyler Smith (waived/injured)
  • DT Ulumoo Ale (waived)
  • LB Aaron Beasley (waived)
  • S Alex Cook (waived)
  • OT Jeremiah Crawford (waived)
  • OT Ricky Lee (waived)
  • CB Quandre Mosely (waived)
  • DT Walter Palmore (waived)
  • DT T.J. Smith (waived)
  • CB Chris Wilcox (waived)
  • G Ike Boettger (released)
  • TE Jesper Horsted (released)

Injury placements:

  • RB Jonathon Brooks (NFI)
  • OLB D.J. Wonnum (PUP)
  • OLB Amaré Barno (PUP)
  • CB Dane Jackson (IR/designated for return)
  • S Sam Franklin Jr. (IR/designated for return)
  • LB Tae Davis (IR)
  • OLB Cam Gill (IR)

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Initial 53-man roster projection for the 2024 Panthers

Here is our final projection for the Panthers’ initial 2024 53-man roster:

Now that the preseason is officially in the books, the Carolina Panthers have another task to tackle—the big cutdown.

Between now and 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the Panthers and the rest of the NFL’s 31 teams must get down to their initial 53-player rosters.

Here is our final projection for Carolina’s initial 53:

Quarterbacks (2)

In: Bryce Young, Andy Dalton
Out: Jack Plummer

Plummer impressed in the summer finale, completing 21 of his 29 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. But that still won’t be enough to devote a third spot on the roster to a quarterback.

Running backs (4)

In: Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone
Out: Jaden Shirden
Reserve/NFI list: Jonathon Brooks

Boone has benefitted from the inactivity of both Blackshear and Brooks, who isn’t expected back for at least a handful of weeks into the regular season. And luckily for the former, his successful track record as a kick returner keeps him around.

Wide receivers (6)

In: Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, David Moore
Out: Terrace Marshall Jr., Michael Strachan, Jalen Coker, Sam Pinckney

The sixth and final spot came down to Marshall Jr. and Moore. Moore’s experience on special teams and his previous history with head coach Dave Canales in both Seattle and Tampa Bay give him the edge.

Tight ends (4)

In: Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jordan Matthews
Out: Feleipe Franks, Jacob Hollister, Jesper Horsted

Matthews earned his spot with a spectacular summer. The 32-year-old opened the preseason with a team-high 48 receiving yards in New England and ended it with a touchdown to kick off the last outing in Buffalo.

Offensive linemen (9)

In: Ikem Ekwonu, Damien Lewis, Austin Corbett, Robert Hunt, Taylor Moton, Brady Christensen, Yosh Nijman, Cade Mays, Chandler Zavala
Out: Ricky Lee, Jeremiah Crawford, Mason Brooks, Andrew Raym, Jack Anderson, Ike Boettger, Tyler Smith

Given that he’s the only true center on the roster, Raym has a shot to stick on. But the versatility of backups such as Nijman, Christensen and Mays allows the Panthers to keep the number of hog mollies at nine.

Defensive linemen (5)

In: Derrick Brown, A’Shawn Robinson, Shy Tuttle, Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray
Out: Jaden Crumedy, T.J. Smith, Ulomoo Ale, Jayden Peevy, Walter Palmore, Junior Aho

Crumedy, the team’s sixth-round selection from this spring, could be in trouble while dealing a high-ankle sprain. So could Smith, who’d be a favorite to sneak back on as a practice squad member after recording a pair of sacks this preseason.

Outside linebackers (5)

In: Jadeveon Clowney, K’Lavon Chaisson, DJ Johnson, Eku Leota, Luiji Vilain
Out: Cam Gill, Derrick McLendon, Kenny Dyson
Reserve/Physically unable to perform list: D.J. Wonnum, Amaré Barno

Vilain and Gill could be battling for the fifth locker. But if it actually doesn’t go to either, look for the Panthers to pick up a pass rusher off the street.

Inside linebackers (4)

In: Shaq Thompson, Josey Jewell, Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherelus
Out: Chandler Wooten, Tae Davis, Aaron Beasley

Canales does not take special teams prowess for granted. Cherelus and Wooten could claim spots with theirs.

Cornerbacks (6)

In: Jaycee Horn, Michael Jackson, Troy Hill, Chau Smith-Wade, Dicaprio Bootle, D’Shawn Jamison
Out: Willie Drew, Chris Wilcox, Quandre Mosely
Injured: Dane Jackson

The “significant” hamstring injury to Jackson (Dane, that is) could force the Panthers to keep a few outside options—including both Bootle and Jamison.

Safeties (5)

In: Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Jammie Robinson, Alex Cook
Out: Demani Richardson, Rudy Ford
Injured: Sam Franklin Jr.

As Canales has stated, there’s no replacing Franklin Jr.—who will be out for quite a bit while healing up a broken foot. Cook, however, could give the Panthers a little bit back on special teams.

Specialists (3)

In: Eddy Piñeiro, Johnny Hekker, JJ Jansen

Well, nothing to see here.

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Panthers limit CB Jaycee Horn in Saturday’s practice

Panthers HC Dave Canales confirmed the team had a pitch count on CB Jaycee Horn today.

Have the Carolina Panthers adopted a new normal for Jaycee Horn?

The oft-injured fourth-year cornerback closed up shop a bit early at practice on Saturday morning. Following the session, head coach Dave Canales was asked if Horn was on a “pitch count” for the outing.

“Yeah, by design,” Canales said of Horn, who was eventually replaced by fourth-year veteran Dicaprio Bootle. “He had a great day two days ago. Some of his highest speeds that he’s had. And so with that, we just wanna make sure we’re smart about just continuing that flow.

“This is still an acclimation period. So we’re really trying to take advantage of that and make sure we continue to ramp him up so he’s ready to go.”

Although highly effective, Horn’s impact at the NFL level has been hindered by a string of injuries. The setbacks, which began early in his 2021 rookie campaign, have forced him to miss 29 of a possible 51 games over his three-year pro career.

That history obviously hasn’t escaped Horn—who told reporters on Wednesday that he’s focused on the now, not the distant future.

“I don’t even think about extensions,” Horn said when asked about the possibility of a new contract. “Like I said, I’m focused on showin’ these guys I can be available and puttin’ out good tape on Sunday.”

Horn and the Panthers will rev up the action on Tuesday, when pads enter the equation at training camp for the first time this summer.

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Panthers GM Dan Morgan: ‘We’re still in contact with some other cornerbacks’

Dan Morgan on finding a No. 2 CB: “We’re still in contact with some other cornerbacks that you guys may know.”

The Carolina Panthers are still on the prowl.

President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan joined WFNZ’s The Kyle Bailey Show on Tuesday to talk about his first offseason at the helm. Host Kyle Bailey asked Morgan if he’s hoping to find a more solidified starter at cornerback to pair with Jaycee Horn.

“You wish you could fix everything little thing in one offseason. But sometimes, that’s not the reality,” he replied. “Now, we’re gonna try to do so. But sometimes, it doesn’t always work out the way that you want it to.

“But we’re really excited about some of the guys that we do have on the roster. Dane Jackson—we signed him in free agency. We re-signed Troy Hill. We have D’Shawn Jamison. We have [Dicaprio] Bootle. So there’s some guys that we are excited about. But that’s not to say we’re not gonna be aggressive to attack the waiver wire. We’re still in contact with some other corners that you guys may know about.”

One of the guys we may know about is probably five-time Pro Bowler and 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore. The Rock Hill, S.C. native has been linked to the Panthers over the past handful of weeks, even by Morgan himself.

He continued.

“So, yeah, we’re gonna be aggressive,” Morgan added. “We’re gonna try to make this roster the best that it can be, to be as competitive as it can be this season. But we also are gonna be smart. We definitely have a plan and we’re gonna do things the right way.”

Some other notable free-agent corners include Xavien Howard, Adoree’ Jackson and Steven Nelson.

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Is Dane Jackson the favorite to be Panthers’ CB2 in 2024?

The Athletic’s Joe Person believes the Panthers will give free-agent signee Dane Jackson a chance to win the CB2 job this season.

When it comes to who will start opposite of Jaycee Horn in the Carolina Panthers secondary this season, the answer may already be on the roster.

All things considered, president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan set his Panthers up quite nicely during the transition from free agency to the 2024 draft. The front office filled a handful of pressing needs—signing guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, trading for former Pro Bowl wideout Diontae Johnson and convincing pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney to come home—in allowing them to pick the best players available later this month.

But what about the cornerback position? Not only did Carolina ship off a longtime starter in Donte Jackson, but they also added just one player to the mix—Dane Jackson.

But according to Joe Person of The Athletic, Jackson may be all the Panthers need to fill the CB2 spot. In his latest seven-round mock draft, Person notes that the team will give the free-agent signee “a chance to win” the starting spot.

That may not be a shock considering Morgan’s history with Jackson, whom he “pounded the table for” a few years back. While serving as the director of player personnel for the Buffalo Bills, Morgan pushed for the selection of the Pittsburgh corner in the seventh round of the 2020 draft.

Since then, Jackson has recorded 28 starts over his 52 NFL outings.

Other than Jackson, the current depth chart has a handful of more inexperienced options for the outside. Discounting Troy Hill—who will man the nickel—the Panthers could look to D’Shawn Jamison, Dicaprio Bootle and Lamar Jackson.

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Panthers designate Jeremy Chinn to return from injured reserve

The Panthers have designated S Jeremy Chinn to return from injured reserve.

Well, at least the Carolina Panthers experienced a bit of good news on the injury front this afternoon.

Shortly after placing both starting right guard Austin Corbett and cornerback Dicaprio Bootle on injured reserve, the Panthers announced that they have designated safety Jeremy Chinn to return from the shelf. Chinn, who’s working his way back from a quadriceps injury, is now eligible to practice and will have 21 days to get back to the active roster.

Chinn was moved to injured reserve back on Oct. 24, alongside outside linebacker Yetur Gross-Matos and tight end Giovanni Ricci. He has since missed the last four games.

Unfortunately for Chinn, he was not heavily featured in the six games he did play in—at least compared to the first three seasons of his NFL career. The former second-round pick appeared in 52 percent of the defense’s snaps—a steep decline from his 97 percent in 2020, 99 percent in 2021 and 91 percent in 2022.

Chinn totaled 23 combined tackles before the injury.

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Panthers sign 2 players to practice squad on Wednesday

After the losses of Austin Corbett and Dicaprio Bootle, the Panthers signed Justin McCray and AJ Parker to their practice squad.

The bruised and battered Carolina Panthers will have to finish the 2023 campaign without one of their best players.

On Wednesday, the team announced that they’ve placed starting right guard Austin Corbett on injured reserve. The sixth-year offensive lineman, who sustained a left knee injury in the Week 11 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, is now expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Carolina also shelved cornerback Dicaprio Bootle with a knee injury of his own. The 26-year-old has played in eight games for the Panthers this year, including a pair of starts over the last two weeks.

So, to pad their losses, the team added a pair of players to their practice squad.

One is a familiar name in guard Justin McCray, who has already appeared in two games for Carolina in 2023. McCray signed on with the Panthers this past spring, was waived during final roster cuts, brought back on the practice squad shortly after and released again last month.

The second addition is cornerback AJ Parker. Parker, who spent the summer with the San Francisco 49ers, played in 16 games for the Detroit Lions between 2021 and 2022.

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