Luiji Vilain – Syndication Server

Cowboys 53-man roster after signing DE, flurry of moves for Week 6 vs Lions

The Dallas Cowboys had their busiest roster day of the season on Wednesday, making necessary changes thanks to the rash of injuries they’ve faced in recent weeks. The team continues to go through it at the defensive end position, moving second-round rookie Marshawn Kneeland to the Reserve/Injured list where he joins DeMarcus Lawrence and Sam Williams. Kneeland suffered a meniscus tear and will miss a significant portion, but not all, of the season. Similar to Lawrence, he is expected to be back for the playoff push.

Meanwhile, the team has welcomed back All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland to practice as he has been designated to return, opening up his 21-day practice window. Listed a full participant on Wednesday’s practice report, there appears a chance for him to be activated this week ahead of their game against the Detroit Lions. Those were just two of five moves the club made.

The @dallascowboys made the following transactions:

Reserve/Injured:
DE Marshawn Kneeland

Signed to active roster:
DE Carl Lawson

Signed to practice squad:
WR Seth Williams
DE Luiji Vilain

Designated for Return to Practice:
CB DaRon Bland
— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) October 9, 2024

The Cowboys signed DE Carl Lawson to the 53-man roster after elevating him from the practice squad a maximum of three times in the last three weeks. He’s played 52 defensive snaps over the last two weeks and was in on a sack of Steelers QB Justin Fields in Week 5. Filling his space on the practice squad is DE Luiji Vilain a 2022 UDFA who has played for Minnesota and Carolina. Also added to the practice squad is WR Seth Williams, a 2021 Denver Broncos’ sixth-round pick.

Each player on the practice squad can be called up to the big roster a total of 3 times and still revert back to the practice squad following the game without being released to the open market or waivers.

Each team can elevate two players per week through the regular season.

Elevations Remaining: 3

Elevations Remaining: 1 (Elevated in Week 4, Week 5)

Elevations Remaining: 3

Elevations Remaining: 2 (Elevated Week 2)

Elevations Remaining: 3

Bland was designated to return ahead of Week 6, with his 21-day activation window starting October 9.

Placed on IR in Week 5, eligible to have activation window opened Week 10.

Eligible to be have activation window opened in Week 11.

Jordan Phillips (wrist) was placed on IR ahead of Week 3. He’s eligible to return prior to Week 7, Dallas’ bye week.

Earliest return date: Week 5

Williams is out for the entire year.

Thomas was placed on IR before the initial 53, so he’s done for the year.

Bostick was placed on IR in training camp so he’s done for the year.

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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Best and worst PFF grades from Panthers’ preseason win over Bills

Bryce Young and Jack Plummer delivered for the Panthers in Saturday’s preseason finale.

The Carolina Panthers wrapped up their 2024 preseason with a pretty exciting showing against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.

We saw quarterback Bryce Young orchestrate a beautiful opening drive in his summer debut, undrafted rookie Jack Plummer explode for 278 passing yards and a handful of other youngsters try to make their case for the team’s initial 53-man roster.

But what did Pro Football Focus see?

Here are the best and worst PFF grades for Carolina in their 31-26 victory:

Best of the offense

1. TE Jesper Horstead: 95.2
2. QB Jack Plummer: 90.4
3. WR Terrace Marshall Jr.: 87.4
4. TE Feleipe Franks: 83.5
5. QB Bryce Young: 82.2

Young and Plummer combined for 370 passing yards and three touchdowns.

Horsted ended as the game’s leading receiver, reeling in a pair of catches for 63 yards. Marshall Jr. added three receptions, 39 yards and an impressive score of their own.

Worst of the offense

29. WR Jonathan Mingo: 54.7
30. WR Michael Strachan: 54.3
31. RG Mason Brooks: 53.7
32. LT Tyler Smith: 44.5
33. WR Xavier Legette: 42.0

Legette was charged with a drop on his first and only target of preseason play.

Best of the defense

Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK

1. DE Jayden Peevy: 89.7
2. OLB Luiji Vilain: 86.3
3. S Nick Scott: 83.2
4. ILB Shaq Thompson: 80.7
5. S Jordan Fuller: 71.7

Vilain notched four total tackles and half a sack.

Worst of the defense

30. OLB Derrick McLendon: 43.3
31. CB Chris Wilcox: 42.9
32. DT Shy Tuttle: 41.5
33. CB Troy Hill: 36.9
34. CB Quandre Mosely: 28.2

As a trio, Wilcox, Hill and Mosely allowed five receptions and 40 yards over six targets.

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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 LB Shaq Thompson on defense losing Brian Burns: ‘It’s not about Burns’

Panthers LB Shaq Thompson had a little fun when asked about former teammate Brian Burns on Wednesday.

The Carolina Panthers defense is no longer about Brian Burns.

Following Wednesday’s outing of training camp, linebacker Shaq Thompson was asked about the loss of the two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher. The 10th-year veteran, a teammate of Burns for five seasons, responded with a bit of humor.

“Ah, forget Burns. We don’t need Burns,” he said jokingly. “That’s my guy. I’ma miss him. Hope he does well out there in New York. I’m happy for him. He got paid and stuff like that.”

He sure did.

After failing to reach middle ground with Burns on an extension, the Panthers shipped the 26-year-old off to the New York Giants in March. Burns would promptly get the deal he was looking for from his new employer—signing a five-year, $141 million pact with Big Blue.

Carolina’s defense will likely miss Burns, who led the team in sacks in each of the past two seasons. The departure may hurt even more considering the Panthers just finished dead-last in that category in 2023.

Thompson, however, seems to believe the unit is fine the way it is.

“But it’s not about Burns right now,” he continued. “We got [Jadeveon] Clowney, we got all these other guys coming in here, learning this defense and excelling at this defense. I’m happy to be out here with these guys, sharing the same field with these guys.

“Be out there for Clowney, be his secure blanket. If he doesn’t know something just go out there, talk to him, make sure he understands his technique and stuff like that. But not just him. The young guys—Eku [Leota], Luiji [Vilain] and all the guys that are outside ‘backers.”

Along with Leota and Vilain, who both stood out in last Thursday’s preseason opener, the Panthers will also look to free-agent signees D.J. Wonnum and K’Lavon Chaisson as well as 2023 third-round pick DJ Johnson to provide the pressure.

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Panthers DC Ejiro Evero on team’s pass rushers: ‘They’re inexperienced, but talented’

Panthers DC Ejiro Evero on team’s pass rushers: ‘We’ve seen a lot of growth from a lot of young guys.’

Where is the Carolina Panthers’ pass rush going to come from in 2024? Well, there may be no better person to ask than defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

The highly-coveted 43-year-old play-caller spoke with reporters following Monday’s outing of training camp. He was asked about the biggest question mark facing his unit entering this season—their pass rush.

“We feel really good about the group,” Evero replied. “[Jadeveon] Clowney, obviously, his résumé speaks for itself. But the group is doing a heck of a job. They’re inexperienced, but there’s a lot of talent there. They’re working hard and they’re improving.”

Evero, who is entering his second season in Carolina, wasn’t able to generate much of a pass rush in his first. The Panthers finished last in the NFL in sacks for the 2023 campaign, recording just 27 takedowns of opposing quarterbacks.

That task may be tougher in 2024—especially after the departures of two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns, Frankie Luvu and Yetur Gross-Matos. Carolina has tried to replenish those losses, as they signed veterans in Clowney, D.J. Wonnum and K’Lavon Chaisson this spring.

But it could be the younger guys who give the defense some answers.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth from a lot of young guys,” Evero added. “Gotta give a lot of kudos to Eku [Leota]. He’s done a really good job. DJ Johnson’s shown improvement. Luiji’s [Vilain] shown improvement. So it’s been fun to watch them develop.”

Leota must’ve been particularly fun for Evero to watch this past Thursday. The second-year outside linebacker was all over the field in Carolina’s preseason opener against the New England Patriots, as he notched a team-high four pressures as well as a pair of stops.

So hopefully for Leota and the rest of the group, the pressure stays on throughout the summer and into the regular season.

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Panthers OLB D.J. Wonnum ‘still working through’ complications of quad injury

Panthers HC Dave Canales told reporters that OLB D.J. Wonnum, who remained absent at OTAs, is still working through his recovery from a quadriceps tear.

The road to recovery for Carolina Panthers outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum continues.

Head coach Dave Canales chatted with reporters after Tuesday’s session of team organized activities, one that did not feature projected starting outside linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum. He was asked about the importance of the edge rushers, specifically Luiji Vilain and Eku Leota, who are there.

“Huge,” Canales replied. “So these are two guys that were with us—so some carryover there as far as just getting our calls, getting lined up properly. Both of those guys just being around, being familiar with the terminology is just really critical for us—especially with D.J. being out right now and Jadeveon, of course, just not being here right now. I can’t thank those guys enough for really carrying that along for us.”

Clowney and Wonnum both signed two-year deals with the Panthers this offseason. While the former’s absence can possibly be attributed to his veteran standing, the latter’s is a tad more complicated.

Canales went on to add that Wonnum, who tore his quadricep in the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 16 matchup against the Detroit Lions this past season, is still healing up.

“Just working through some different things,” he said of Wonnum. “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.”

Wonnum, who posted a career-high 8.0 sacks in 2023, did not play in the final two games of the campaign.

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Panthers release OT David Sharpe

The Panthers released OT David Sharpe just a day ahead of their Week 10 matchup with the Bears.

A little known rule has, in part, cost offensive tackle David Sharpe his spot on the Carolina Panthers roster.

As announced by the team on Wednesday afternoon, about 30 hours ahead of their Week 10 matchup against the Chicago Bears, Sharpe has been released. The move opens up an extra spot on the active roster, which may be of use on the short turnaround for the Thursday night showdown.

That aforementioned rule comes into play as a result of Luiji Vilain’s placement on injured reserve. Carolina would’ve needed the outside linebacker, who was signed off the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad on Oct. 24, to spend at least three weeks on the roster for his spot to be filled.

While Sharpe’s release cuts the group down to 51 of a possible 53 players, Vilain’s absence still leaves the Panthers with just one vacancy for the week.

Sharpe, originally a practice squad addition at the beginning of September, appeared in two games this season.

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Panthers place Luiji Vilain on injured reserve

The Panthers have placed OLB Luiji Vilain (knee) on injured reserve.

At this rate, the Carolina Panthers are going to have to bring a few more linebackers out of retirement to field enough of a roster.

Just hours after placing Chandler Wooten on injured reserve for the setback he sustained in Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the Panthers would do the same with Luiji Vilain. The 25-year old defender, who is dealing with a knee injury, will now miss at least the next four games.

Carolina signed Vilain off the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad and onto their active roster back on Oct. 24. He had appeared in just one game for Minnesota this season—the team’s Monday night win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.

Vilain has also appeared in just one game for the Panthers, their 27-13 defeat in Week 9. He recorded four snaps on special teams.

In addition to Wooten and Vilain, the Panthers will not have fellow linebacker Brian Burns in uniform on Thursday against the Chicago Bears.

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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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