Panthers’ updated 16-man practice squad after addition of David Sharpe

Here’s what the Panthers’ practice squad now looks like after Monday’s return of OT David Sharpe:

On Monday, the Carolina Panthers left a spot on their practice squad open after signing rookie outside linebacker Eku Leota to their active roster. But, they wouldn’t take long to fill it.

Offensive tackle David Sharpe, who was released last week, has now returned as a member of the group.

Here’s an updated look at the squad:

Panthers’ updated roster following Monday’s moves

Eku Leota is in while Matthias Farley and Jordan Matthews are now out. Here’s what the Panthers’ active roster currently looks like:

The Carolina Panthers began their Monday by signing outside linebacker Eku Leota to their active roster. Now that the undrafted rookie has used up all three of his elevations from the practice squad, he finally has himself a certified spot on the program.

That, however, wouldn’t be the only move the team would make.

Soon after, the Panthers released safety Matthias Farley and tight end Jordan Matthews. Those vacancies may have been made available for cornerback Jaycee Horn and tight Ian Thomas, who were both designated to return from injured reserve today.

So, with all that tinkering now finalized, here is an updated look at Carolina’s current active roster:

Panthers sign Eku Leota to active roster, David Sharpe to practice squad

The Panthers have added OLB Eku Leota to their active roster and brought back OT David Sharpe as a member of the practice squad.

One of the better stories from the summer of 2023 now has a new chapter.

The Carolina Panthers announced on Monday afternoon that they have signed rookie outside linebacker Eku Leota to their active roster. Leota, who’s seen action over the last three outings, had been a member of the team’s practice squad throughout the season.

An Asheville, N.C. native, Leota spent his four collegiate campaigns between Northwestern University and the University of Auburn. From 2019 to 2022, he recorded 66 total tackles (25.0 for a loss), 15.5 sacks and three forced fumbles over 32 games.

After going undrafted this spring, the 6-foot-3, 252-pounder joined his hometown Panthers. Despite standing out during the summer, Leota would be cut during the team’s crackdown to their initial 53-man roster. He signed back to their practice squad a day later.

Leota is fresh off his highest snap count of the year, where he was in on 32 defensive looks in last Thursday night’s loss to the Chicago Bears.

To fill Leota’s vacancy on the practice squad, the Panthers signed offensive tackle David Sharpe to the group. Sharpe, who had been on the active roster since Week 1, was released last Wednesday.

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DJ Chark inactive for Week 10 vs. Bears

Panthers WR DJ Chark, who was listed as doubtful for Week 10 with an elbow injury, is officially inactive tonight.

The Carolina Panthers knew their latest wave of injuries was going to leave them without at least four players in Week 10—outside linebacker Brian Burns, cornerback CJ Henderson, wideout Laviska Shenault Jr. and tight end Stephen Sullivan. And, as expected, they’ve added a fifth.

Receiver DJ Chark is officially inactive for tonight’s matchup against the Chicago Bears. Chark was listed as doubtful on yesterday’s final injury report with an elbow issue.

For insurance measures at the position, the Panthers have elevated Mike Strachan from the practice squad. Strachan, a former Indianapolis Colt under head coach Frank Reich, was signed back on Sept. 13.

Carolina has also padded their roster with two outside linebackers. Marquis Haynes Sr., who missed the first eight games due to a back injury, has been activated while Eku Leota is up for his third straight elevation.

Here’s the full list of inactives for the Panthers:

  • OLB Brian Burns
  • WR DJ Chark
  • CB CJ Henderson
  • G Nash Jensen
  • WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
  • TE Stephen Sullivan

And here’s who’s out for the Bears:

  • FB Khari Blasingame
  • OL Nate Davis
  • QB Justin Fields
  • LB Tremaine Edmunds
  • WR Velus Jones Jr.
  • DL Dominique Robinson
  • DB Terell Smith

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Panthers roster heading into Week 10 vs. Bears

Carolina Panthers roster for Thursday night’s matchup with the Bears

The Carolina Panthers called up some help ahead of their Thursday night showdown against the Chicago Bears.

Heading that charge is outside linebacker Marquis Haynes Sr., who was activated after finally being designated to return from injured reserve earlier this week. He’ll be joined by fellow backer Eku Leota and wideout Mike Strachan, both of whom were elevated from the practice squad.

So, let’s take a look at who the Panthers will have at their disposal in Week 10:

Panthers elevate 2 players for Week 10 matchup with Bears

The Panthers have elevated OLB Eku Leota and WR Mike Strachan from the practice squad for tonight’s game against the Bears.

Marquis Haynes Sr. isn’t the only reinforcement the Carolina Panthers are calling on for tonight.

As announced by the team just a few hours ahead of their Week 10 showdown with the Chicago Bears, outside linebacker Eku Leota and wide receiver Mike Strachan have been elevated from the practice squad. Both are standard elevations.

Thursday will mark the third elevation for Leota, who must either be signed to the active roster or waived prior to Week 11. The undrafted rookie has played in 12 defensive snaps over the last two games.

With the likes of Brian Burns, Justin Houston and Yetur-Gross Matos all out for this one, Leota may get more looks from the outside linebacker position. He totaled 15.5 sacks over four years of collegiate ball between Northwestern and Auburn.

Strachan will bring some depth to the wideout spot with the expected absence of DJ Chark, who has been listed as doubtful due to an elbow injury. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder, who previously spent time with head coach Frank Reich in Indianapolis, was signed to the team’s practice squad back on Sept. 13.

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Vonn Bell inactive vs. Colts in Week 9

Panthers vs. Colts: Week 9 inactives

The Carolina Panthers have placed a grand total of 11 players on injured reserve this season, with eight coming on the defensive side of the ball. And among those eight are three of the team’s top four outside linebackers—Marquis Haynes Sr., Yetur Gross-Matos and, most recently, Justin Houston.

So, we may be seeing some relatively fresh faces this afternoon against the Indianapolis Colts, including third-round pick DJ Johnson. Johnson, who will get the starting nod for Houston, has seen his playing time increase over the past two weeks—as he recorded 24 defensive snaps in Week 6 and 29 in Week 7.

Plus, as expected, Luiji Vilain will be active for the team’s Week 9 outing. The second-year backer was signed off the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad and onto the Panthers’ active roster back on Oct. 24.

Carolina, additionally, elevated fellow outside linebacker Eku Leota. The undrafted rookie made his NFL debut in last week’s win over the Houston Texans, appearing in six snaps on defense and eight on special teams.

Also as expected, the defense will be without safety Vonn Bell—who was listed as doubtful with a quadriceps injury. Alex Cook, per Darin Gantt of Panthers.com, will likely start in his place.

Here is the complete list of inactives for the Panthers on the day:

  • S Vonn Bell
  • G Nash Jensen
  • OT Ricky Lee
  • CB David Long Jr.
  • WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
  • OL Brett Toth

And here’s who is out for the visiting Colts:

  • C Jack Anderson
  • CB Juju Brents
  • LB Zaire Franklin
  • OT Braden Smith
  • CB Ameer Speed

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Panthers sign Matthias Farley to roster, elevate Eku Leota for Week 9

Ahead of their Week 9 outing, the Panthers have signed S Matthias Farley to their active roster and elevated OLB Eku Leota from their practice squad.

The Carolina Panthers just had to place yet another key defender on injured reserve, as outside linebacker Justin Houston was shelved this afternoon due to a hamstring issue. So now, they’ve signed a player to take his place.

Filling the 53rd spot on the active roster will be safety Matthias Farley, who was inked from the practice squad following the Houston news. The 31-year-old veteran and Charlotte, N.C. native will now, of course, be eligible to play in the team’s Week 9 contest against the Indianapolis Colts.

Farley has appeared in three games for Carolina this season, having notched 31 snaps on special teams on 63 on defense. All 63 of those defensive looks came in the Week 6 loss to the Miami Dolphins, where Farley recorded the unit’s second-lowest overall grade from Pro Football Focus.

Joining him on the come-up will be rookie outside linebacker Eku Leota, who has been elevated for the second straight Sunday. Leota made his NFL debut in last week’s win over the Houston Texans, seeing six snaps on defense and eight on special teams.

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Panthers elevate 2 players for Week 8 matchup vs. Texans

The Panthers are elevating OLB Eku Leota and S Matthias Farley for their Week 8 matchup against the Texans.

In what’s become a painfully recurring theme this season, the Carolina Panthers needed to bring up some reinforcements for their ailing defense.

This week, with the 3-3 Houston Texans coming to town, the team has elevated rookie outside linebacker Eku Leota and safety Matthias Farley from the practice squad. Darin Gantt of Panthers.com was first with the news on Saturday afternoon.

Leota, an undrafted free-agent signing out of Auburn University, may be making his NFL debut in Week 8. That could hinge on the status of fellow backer and two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Brian Burns, who is listed as questionable for the contest due to an elbow injury.

Farley, with safety Vonn Bell already having been ruled out, will be making his third trip up. He played 63 defensive snaps in the Week 6 loss to the Miami Dolphins, the third-highest total for the unit.

Being that Sunday will mark his third call-up, the 31-year-old veteran will either have to be waived or signed to the active roster heading into Week 9.

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Panthers’ initial 2023 practice squad

Here is the Carolina Panthers’ initial 16-man practice squad for the 2023 season:

The Carolina Panthers have officially rounded out their initial practice squad for the 2023 season—adding former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver and Frank Reich draft pick Dezmon Patmon on Tuesday.

So, let’s take a look at the entire (and complete) 16-man group: