Tag: Luiji Vilain

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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Vikings make move on practice squad

The Vikings fortified the pass rush after losing Vilain to the practice squad

The Minnesota Vikings announced they have signed OLB Quincy Roche to the practice squad. The move comes one day after OLB Luiji Vilain signed with the Carolina Panthers off of the Vikings practice squad.

Roche was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round (216th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. They released him shortly afterward and he spent the next two seasons with the New York Giants.

In playing 17 games with the Giants, Roche recorded 36 tackles, including five for loss, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

With Marcus Davenport on injured reserve, adding an edge rusher for depth was important.

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Panthers’ updated 53-man roster after Tuesday’s flurry of moves

Gallery: Carolina Panthers’ updated 53-man roster after Tuesday’s flurry of moves

The Carolina Panthers’ active roster will look a lot different when the team hits the field this afternoon.

Tuesday brought a flurry of moves, including four adjustments to the injured reserve list and a pair of signees. In is guard Austin Corbett, offensive lineman Brett Toth and outside linebacker Luiji Vialin and out is tight end Giovanni Ricci, outside linebacker Yetur Gross-Matos and safety Jeremy Chinn.

So, here’s a fresh look at the updated 53-man program:

Panthers sign 2 players on Tuesday

The Panthers signed OL Brett Toth and OLB Luiji Vilain to their active roster on Tuesday.

Tuesday brought quite a bit of shelf work for the Carolina Panthers—who activated right guard Austin Corbett while also sending safety Jeremy Chinn, outside linebacker Yetur Gross-Matos and tight end Giovanni Ricci to injured reserve. So, in case you haven’t done the math, two spots needed to be filled.

As officially announced by the team, those spots have been filled by offensive lineman Brett Toth and outside linebacker Luiji Vilain. Toth and Vilain—who were members of the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings practice squads, respectively—will now join Carolina’s active roster.

Toth, who attended the United States Military Academy, broke into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Eagles in 2019. The Charleston, S.C. native played in a total of 17 games for Philadelphia between 2020 and 2021—recording 102 snaps at right tackle, 14 at right guard and 30 at center.

Vilain, fresh off an elevation into last night’s win over the San Francisco 49ers, has appeared in four games for the Vikings in the last two seasons. He’s amassed four tackles.

In addition, the Panthers also released offensive lineman Justin McCray from their practice squad.

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Panthers reportedly signing OLB Luiji Vilain to active roster

According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, the Panthers are signing OLB Luiji Vilain to their active roster.

Luiji Vilain has been pretty busy over the last 24 hours.

According to Bleacher Report NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Carolina Panthers are signing the second-year linebacker off the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. Vilain, who would be joining Carolina’s active roster, was elevated for last night’s victory over the San Francisco 49ers—where he made his season debut on 14 special teams snaps.

The 6-foot-4, 252-pound defender attended the University of Michigan from 2017 to 2020. He’d only see game action in his final two years there, amassing 11 total tackles, 1.0 sack and a forced fumble over 12 outings.

Following his transfer to Wake Forest University in 2021, Vilain would get his first taste of professional football as a third-round draft pick of the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts that spring. The Ottawa, Ontario native, however, opted to remain in Winston-Salem, N.C.—where he’d go on to lead the Demon Deacons in sacks (9.0) that season.

Vilain then broke into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Vikings the following year. Before Monday’s 2023 debut, he appeared in three games during his rookie campaign in 2022.

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Vikings elevate 2 from practice squad for Monday’s game

The Vikings elevated two from the practice squad to fill the gap for injured players

The Minnesota Vikings have elevated two players from the practice squad for Monday night’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. Both wide receiver Trishton Jackson and outside linebacker Luiji Vilain.

With Jalen Nailor still working his way back from his hamstring injury, Jackson is being elevated likely to fill a role on special teams. This is Jackson’s second elevation this season and has one more before he has to be on the active roster to play in a game.

After playing in three games in 2022, this is Vilain’s first game in 2023 and also his first activation. With Marcus Davenport on injured reserve, Vilain is likely to be the fourth outside linebacker with Danielle Hunter, D.J. Wonnum and Pat Jones II getting the majority of the snaps.

The Vikings kick off with the 49ers at 7:15 central.

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Minnesota Vikings waive OLB Luiji Vilain, OG Alan Ali

The Vikings continue to trim the roster down

The Minnesota Vikings have continued to make roster moves. According to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, the Vikings have waived outside linebacker Luiji Vilain and offensive lineman Alan Ali.

The Vikings made it a priority to keep their draft picks last season and Vilain was one of only two players to make the team as an undrafted free agent. Vilain was essentially redshirted last season and only played in three games during the 2022 season.

Ali came to the Vikings after playing five seasons at SMU and TCU. He came with a multitude of experience at center with some at guard. The Vikings primarily used him at guard over the course of the preseason, but he struggled throughout.

The Vikings will continue to make moves to get down to the 53-man roster limit.

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10 players who need a great performance vs. Seahawks

Heading into Thursday’s preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks, these 10 Minnesota Vikings need a great performance.

After two weeks of Minnesota Vikings training camp, we are starting to see a divide between players at each position. Preseason games set things apart as well, as live game reps matter more than practice.

Throughout practice, there have been plenty of standouts, but the players who have been struggling are the ones that need a great performance. If you play well in a live game setting, that can change everything for your potential chances to earn a roster spot.

Here are 10 players that need to have a great game against the Seattle Seahawks to improve their chances to make the roster.