The Panthers have reportedly waived CB D’Shawn Jamison and S Demani Richardson.
More roster casualties are on the way in Charlotte today.
According to Joe Person of The Athletic, the Carolina Panthers have waived a pair of defensive backs—cornerback D’Shawn Jamison and rookie safety Demani Richardson. The two will join wide receiver Jalen Coker, who has also reportedly been let go after making the team’s initial 53-man roster.
Jamison, ironically enough, first joined the Panthers as a waiver claim following last summer’s initial roster cutdown. Almost a year to the day—on Aug. 30, 2023—the University of Texas product was nabbed of waivers by Carolina alongside offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton and inside linebacker Claudin Cherelus.
The former San Francisco 49er played in 15 games for the Panthers in 2023. Jamison recorded 10 combined tackles and a pass deflection with one start.
He suited up for all three preseason games this summer, logging a total of 96 defensive snaps and three kickoff returns.
Richardson, in his preseason appearances, amassed eight total tackles and an interception.
The Panthers are reportedly set to waive fan favorite Jalen Coker.
The Carolina Panthers are certainly putting their top spot on the waiver wire to good use today. But unfortunately, the moves will come at a price.
According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, the Panthers are waiving wide receiver Jalen Coker. The undrafted rookie, a fan favorite over the spring and summer, was named to the team’s initial 53-man roster on Tuesday.
Coker signed with Carolina following the 2024 NFL draft. The Holy Cross standout apparently stood out quite early to head coach Dave Canales, who offered a rather extensive evaluation of the 6-foot-3, 213-pound pass catcher back in May.
“Size, instincts, top-of-route ability to separate,” Canales said when asked about Coker. “He’s really crafty in zones. He knows how to find the open spaces. Has a little cool run-after-catch, too. He can break some tackles because of the size that he brings. Attacks the ball at the high point. I mean, the guy really does have a cool skill set that he brings to us. So I’m excited to see him kinda get introduced as we start to develop out football, especially in Phase Three OTAs. Let’s see what he looks like against NFL talent. But I’m really excited about him.”
The 22-year-old recorded five receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown during preseason play.
If Coker clears waivers on Thursday, Canales and the Panthers could bring him back as a member of their practice squad.
Follow along as we track each of the Panthers’ additions to their initial 2024 practice squad
Yesterday wasn’t the only instance of heavy construction that we’ll see this week.
On Tuesday, NFL teams cut ties and made moves on over 1,000 players in shaping their initial 53-man rosters for the 2024 campaign. Some of those players will find their ways back on to other active rosters and even more will return to a locker room as practice-squad players.
As soon as the activity on Wednesday’s waiver wire is through, those who are not claimed can be signed to practice squads—often a 16-man group used as depth for practice sessions, scout work and emergency game situations.
Now, there’s little question as to if the Carolina Panthers and general manager Dan Morgan will be busy today. Morgan, on a few occasions, hasn’t been shy to flex the advantage of having the league’s very top spot on the waiver wire.
But when that work is through, we’ll need to shift our focus right to the taxi squad.
So, keep it here as we track each of the team’s additions to their initial practice squad for 2024 . . .
Here are four Panthers who can benefit most from a huge final week of preseason work:
Final roster cuts are less than a week away, and the Carolina Panthers should have a few tough decisions to make. There are some players who will further realize their dreams and some players who will have their hopes temporarily dashed.
But many will have just a handful of days left to prove their worth.
Here are four notable bubble players who need a big final week of the preseason to secure a roster spot:
WR Jalen Coker
Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
At every training camp, there is an obsession over an undrafted free agent who many assumed would’ve been selected in April. Coker is this year’s cult favorite.
So far this summer, the Holy Cross star has flashed his ball skills and route-running ability against cornerbacks like D’Shawn Jamison and Lamar Jackson—players who could be considered quality depth pieces for an NFL secondary. Coker, however, has yet to stand out in preseason action or play at a consistently dominant level during practices.
Understandably, the 2023 First-team FCS All-American has his fair share of supporters amongst the Panthers faithful. But if he doesn’t shine in Buffalo this Saturday, he may have to latch on elsewhere—especially with fellow Carolina wideout Terrace Marshall Jr. impressing this summer.
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
This may come as a surprise to many, but Smith-Marsette has become a bubble player in a surprisingly competitive receiver room.
Smith-Marsette is a talented player. He is the only true speedster on offense, and was a valuable gadget player and punt returner for Carolina in 2023.
This sounds like someone who might be a near-lock on the roster given his unique skills and potential on special teams. Yet, Marshall Jr. and David Moore may have been making better impressions off their play—possibly clouding Smith-Marsette’s chances at the bottom of the depth chart and as a returner.
OT Ricky Lee
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Lee’s eye-opening 2023 preseason landed him on last year’s roster. But now that the Panthers have invested quite a bit into their offensive line, the youngster could be on the outside looking in.
The second-year hog molly still has a skill set worthy of keeping. He’s nimble, quick off the ball and has an explosive kick-step that allows him to reach his landmarks in pass sets.
Yet, he may not possess the requisite size or length to be consistent or successful at tackle. Lee lacks the upper and lower half strength to stand up power rushes and to anchor down with a strong knee bend and a rock-solid core.
EDGE Derrick McLendon
Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Carolina’s pass-rushing department has needed its players to step up this summer, particularly after a setback in free-agent signee D.J. Wonnum’s recovery from quad surgery. Thus far, second-year outside ‘backers DJ Johnson and Eku Leota have really answered the call.
But there is a player from this group who has impressed me with his effort in all phases—and that’s McLendon, who has stood out on special teams as well as against the run and the pass. And while the undrafted free agent from Colorado hasn’t had the flashes that Leota has piled up, his play style cannot be overlooked.
The Panthers cleared a pair of rookies from the shelf on Tuesday.
The summer shelf got a little lighter for the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday.
As announced this afternoon, wide receiver Jalen Coker and cornerback Chau Smith-Wade have been cleared from the active/physically unable to perform list. Both rookies, along with four others, were placed on the list by the Panthers this past weekend.
Given Carolina’s lack of depth at the cornerback position, Smith-Wade could have an opportunity to make an immediate impact. Head coach Dave Canales spoke about his team’s fifth-round pick during organized team activities in May.
“He’s a worker,” Canales said. “The guys that we drafted, these guys are hard workers and tough football players. And that’s what we tried to do—is profile those type of guys that fit what we’re doing. He fits right in with the group.
“He’s active, he’s always workin’ on stuff, JUGS after practice and I just love his focus. He’s got a great smile, but then you see, like, he’s just locked in. And he’s really interested in what’s happening everywhere.”
Players who remain on the active/PUP list include wideout Cam Sims, offensive tackle Yosh Nijman and outside linebackers D.J. Wonnum and Amaré Barno. Fellow rookie and second-round running back Jonathon Brooks also has yet to be cleared from the active/non-football injury list.
The Panthers have now placed six players on the active/PUP list ahead of training camp.
Two more Carolina Panthers won’t be ready for the start of training camp.
As announced by the team on Saturday afternoon, receiver Cam Sims and rookie cornerback Chau Smith-Wade have been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list. They will join wideout Jalen Coker, offensive tackle Yosh Nijman and outside linebackers D.J. Wonnum and Amaré Barno—all of whom were also shelved on Friday.
Smith-Wade was selected by the Panthers in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft. Given Carolina’s lack of depth at the cornerback position, the Washington State standout could figure into the defense’s plans right away in 2024.
“With this whole pre-draft process, I’ve been talking to coaches and a lot of scouts,” Smith-Wade said after being selected in April. “They see me as a nickel, but I wouldn’t limit myself to just one position. I see myself being versatile in this league. I see myself making plays at corner, I see myself making plays at nickel, perhaps even safety. So I would never just limit myself to just one position when I know I can be multiple.”
He is now the second of Carolina’s 2024 draftees who hasn’t received clearance for the start of camp—with second-round running back Jonathon Brooks having already been placed on the active/non-football injury list yesterday.
The Panthers are temporarily sidelining a handful of players to begin training camp.
Jonathon Brooks wasn’t the only Carolina Panthers player denied of clearance for the start of training camp.
The team announced on Friday that four players have been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list. That group includes rookie wide receiver Jalen Coker, offensive tackle Yosh Nijman and outside linebackers D.J. Wonnum and Amaré Barno.
Wonnum is the most high-profile placement of the bunch. The Panthers signed the 26-year-old to a two-year, $12.5 million deal this offseason and are expected to start him alongside fellow University of South Carolina Gamecock Jadeveon Clowney in the middle of the defense.
Head coach Dave Canales previously updated reporters on the status of Wonnum, who is still recovering from the quadricep tear he sustained late last season.
“Just working through some different things,” Canales said of Wonnum back in early June. “He had some complications . . . he had a quadricep tendon rupture there. And so he had a repair and there was some different things they had to clean out. So it’s kinda just like this back-and-forth trying to get him as healthy as we can so we can get him on the field and get him back to full speed. So he’s still kinda working through some of those things.”
As is the case with Brooks—who was placed on the active/non-football injury list—Wonnum, Barno, Nijman and Coker can be activated at any time.
A trio of Panthers rookies had their UFL rights drafted on Wednesday.
A trio of undrafted Carolina Panthers rookies are (technically) undrafted no more.
The UFL held its college draft on Wednesday, giving some fresh faces a second chance at hearing their names called this offseason. Three of Carolina’s undrafted free-agent signees from the spring got that experience this morning, and they are as follows:
Round
Pick (Overall)
Team
College
WR Jalen Coker
4th
No. 25
Memphis Showboats
Holy Cross
DT Popo Aumavae
4th
No. 27
Arlington Renegades
Oregon
C Andrew Raym
6th
No. 41
Memphis Showboats
Oklahoma
Coker, who many experts pegged as a solid Day 3 prospect in the 2024 NFL draft, is a name that should jump out to many. He certainly jumped out to Panthers head coach Dave Canales, who provided quite the breakdown of the intriguing 6-foot-1, 208-pound receiver during rookie minicamp in early May.
“Size, instincts, top-of-route ability to separate,” Canales said of Coker’s strengths. “He’s really crafty in zones. He knows how to find the open spaces. Has a little cool run-after-catch, too. He can break some tackles because of the size that he brings. Attacks the ball at the high point. I mean, the guy really does have a cool skill set that he brings to us. So I’m excited to see him kinda get introduced as we start to develop out football, especially in Phase Three OTAs. Let’s see what he looks like against NFL talent. But I’m really excited about him.”
Players taken in the UFL’s draft can opt to join the league if they do not make an NFL roster for this upcoming season.
A trio of Panthers rookies had their UFL rights drafted on Wednesday.
A trio of undrafted Carolina Panthers rookies are (technically) undrafted no more.
The UFL held its college draft on Wednesday, giving some fresh faces a second chance at hearing their names called this offseason. Three of Carolina’s undrafted free-agent signees from the spring got that experience this morning, and they are as follows:
Round
Pick (Overall)
Team
College
WR Jalen Coker
4th
No. 25
Memphis Showboats
Holy Cross
DT Popo Aumavae
4th
No. 27
Arlington Renegades
Oregon
C Andrew Raym
6th
No. 41
Memphis Showboats
Oklahoma
Coker, who many experts pegged as a solid Day 3 prospect in the 2024 NFL draft, is a name that should jump out to many. He certainly jumped out to Panthers head coach Dave Canales, who provided quite the breakdown of the intriguing 6-foot-1, 208-pound receiver during rookie minicamp in early May.
“Size, instincts, top-of-route ability to separate,” Canales said of Coker’s strengths. “He’s really crafty in zones. He knows how to find the open spaces. Has a little cool run-after-catch, too. He can break some tackles because of the size that he brings. Attacks the ball at the high point. I mean, the guy really does have a cool skill set that he brings to us. So I’m excited to see him kinda get introduced as we start to develop out football, especially in Phase Three OTAs. Let’s see what he looks like against NFL talent. But I’m really excited about him.”
Players taken in the UFL’s draft can opt to join the league if they do not make an NFL roster for this upcoming season.
Panthers HC Dave Canales had a lot of good (and perhaps unusual) things to say about UDFA Jalen Coker.
Dave Canales isn’t only trying to establish a new culture within the Carolina Panthers organization. It’s clear, after just a few months on the job, that he’s also trying to immerse himself in it.
The first-year head coach spoke with reporters following the opening outing of rookie minicamp on Friday. Vashti Hurt of Carolina Blitz would ask Canales what he likes about undrafted free-agent signing and wide receiver Jalen Coker.
“Size, instincts, top-of-route ability to separate,” he replied. “He’s really crafty in zones. He knows how to find the open spaces. Has a little cool run-after-catch, too. He can break some tackles because of the size that he brings. Attacks the ball at the high point. I mean, the guy really does have a cool skill set that he brings to us. So I’m excited to see him kinda get introduced as we start to develop out football, especially in Phase Three OTAs. Let’s see what he looks like against NFL talent. But I’m really excited about him.”
Later on that night, Jim Nagy—an 18-year NFL scout and the executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl—posted the following about the response:
Impressive & 𝙪𝙣𝙪𝙨𝙪𝙖𝙡 detailed breakdown of a UDFA by Panthers HC Dave Canales. Not sure many know this but head coaches rarely have a clue about skill-sets of undrafted players. pic.twitter.com/MRn1tBuvSi
Coker, one of the top Day 3 prospects of this year’s class, was undoubtedly quite the swipe for Canales and the Panthers. The 6-foot-1, 208-pounder spent four seasons at the College of Holy Cross—where he’d become the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards (2,715) and receiving touchdowns (31).
And now, Canales has us amped up to see that Phase Three action.
