Tag: panthers news

Panthers waive former Broncos defensive lineman

The Panthers waived former Broncos defensive lineman DeShawn Williams on Tuesday.

Story update: After clearing waivers, DeShawn Williams re-signed with the Panthers on their practice squad. See our original post below.

The Carolina Panthers waived defensive lineman DeShawn Williams on Tuesday to make room for newly-signed defensive tackle Sam Roberts, the team announced (via Panthers Wire).

Williams (6-1, 295 pounds) had three separate stints with the Denver Broncos, with the most recent tenure from 2020-2022. The 31-year-old defensive lineman totaled 113 tackles, 19 quarterback hits, eight pass breakups, 7.5 sacks and one interception in 46 games (34 starts) with the Broncos.

Williams was a 15-game starter in 2022, but Denver let him walk in free agency the following spring. He then signed with the Panthers, reuniting with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Williams later tweeted, “They didn’t want me” when asked when he did not return to the Broncos.

After his one-year deal with the Panthers expired, Williams joined the Buffalo Bills this spring. He failed to make Buffalo’s 53-man roster, though, and then returned to Carolina, initially on the practice squad. The Panthers promoted Williams to the active roster in October and he appeared in 10 games this season, recording 13 tackles and a half-sack.

Williams will now hit the NFL’s waiver wire.

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Jaycee Horn got into it with Sean Payton after Broncos beat Panthers

Panthers CB Jaycee Horn yelled at Broncos coach Sean Payton for trying to run up the score on Sunday.

Following the Denver Broncos’ 28-14 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, CBS cameras captured Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn in a heated exchange with Broncos coach Sean Payton.

Payton spent 16 years in the NFC South with the New Orleans Saints, so Carolina is a familiar opponent for him. It seemed that Payton wanted to stick it to his old rival as the Broncos attempted a fake field goal in the fourth quarter and later ran a trick play while leading 28-7.

While leading by three touchdowns with 4:29 left in the game, Payton called a trick play that featured wide receiver Courtland Sutton throwing a deep pass to fullback Michael Burton. Sutton completed the pass but Denver later turned the ball over (on a Sutton fumble).

It seems that Horn was not happy with the situation:

9News cameras captured audio of Horn yelling at Payton for attempting to run up the score.

Payton was asked about the incident after the game.

“I coached his father and so I was yelling back at him,” Payton said. “I think uh — I don’t know what the exchange was, but his father I enjoyed coaching and I enjoyed him. He was frustrated, I think he was yelling at one of our other players. So … [shrugs]. I like him, I think he’s a good player.”

Jaycee’s father, Joe Horn, was a wide receiver for the Saints from 2000-2006. Payton coached the elder Horn in the coach’s first season in New Orleans.

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Broncos injury report: Starting defensive back doubtful for Panthers game

Broncos DB P.J. Locke (thumb) is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Panthers.

After practicing in all three sessions this week, Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain (concussion) appears to be on track to play against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, but another starting defensive back is listed as doubtful to play in Week 8.

Broncos safety P.J. Locke left Wednesday’s practice with a thumb injury and he did not participate in the Thursday or Friday sessions. He is officially considered doubtful for Sunday’s game.

Devon Key would be the next man up at safety across from Brandon Jones. Denver also has JL Skinner and Keidron Smith on the active roster, plus Tanner McCalister on the practice squad.

As for the Carolina Panthers, quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) is also listed as doubtful. After Dalton injured his thumb in a car crash on Tuesday, the Panthers will start Bryce Young against the Broncos on Sunday.

Elsewhere on Carolina’s injury report, wide receivers Diontae Johnson (ribs) and Adam Thielen (hamstring) have also been ruled out.

View the Broncos’ complete injury report below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Wed Thur Fri Status
CB Pat Surtain (concussion) Full Full Full
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Limited DNP DNP Doubtful
OT Mike McGlinchey (knee) Limited Limited Full
OT Alex Palczewski (ankle) Limited Limited Limited Questionable
DT Malcolm Roach (illness) DNP Full Full

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS. The Broncos are considered big favorites against the Panthers going into Week 8.

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Broncos release Thursday injury report: Pat Surtain status update

Broncos CB Pat Surtain (concussion) practiced again on Thursday. Panthers QB Andy Dalton (thumb) did not practice.

Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain (concussion) practiced again on Thursday and he seems to be on track to play against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, although that has not yet been officially confirmed.

Broncos coach Sean Payton said Surtain’s outlook “looks positive” after the cornerback was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.

Elsewhere on Denver’s injury report, defensive lineman Malcolm Roach (illness) was back at practice but safety P.J. Locke did not participate Thursday after leaving Wednesday’s practice with a thumb injury.

As for the Carolina Panthers, quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) was held out of practice again on Thursday. Dalton injured his thumb in a car crash on Tuesday, so the Panthers are set to start Bryce Young against the Broncos in Week 8.

View the Broncos’ complete injury report below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Wed Thur Fri Status
CB Pat Surtain (concussion) Full Full
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Limited DNP
OT Mike McGlinchey (knee) Limited Limited
OT Alex Palczewski (ankle) Limited Limited
DT Malcolm Roach (illness) DNP Full

Denver will hold one more practice on Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Sunday’s showdown with the Panthers.

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Broncos release Wednesday injury report: Pat Surtain status update

Broncos CB Pat Surtain (concussion) returned to practice Wednesday. Panthers QB Andy Dalton (thumb) did not practice.

Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain (concussion) returned to practice on Wednesday after sitting out the team’s Thursday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints last week.

Surtain is still in the concussion protocol, but coach Sean Payton said after Wednesday’s practice that Surtain’s outlook “looks positive.”

Surtain suffered the concussion 10 days ago against the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 13. With Surtain sidelined against the Saints on Oct. 17, Riley Moss (58 snaps), Levi Wallace (70 snaps) and Ja’Quan McMillian (49 snaps) served as the team’s top cornerbacks in Week 7.

Tremon Smith (11 snaps) and Damarri Mathis (two snaps) served as the backup cornerbacks with rookie Kris Abrams-Draine a healthy scratch in New Orleans.

Elsewhere on Denver’s injury report, defensive lineman Malcolm Roach was sidelined with an illness and three other players were limited. 

Meanwhile, Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton did not participate on Wednesday after being involved in a car crash on Tuesday. After practice, Carolina coach Dave Canales revealed that Dalton sprained his thumb, putting Bryce Young back in the lineup for Week 8.

View the Broncos’ complete Wednesday injury report below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Wed Thur Fri Status
CB Pat Surtain (concussion) Full
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Limited
OT Mike McGlinchey (knee) Limited
OT Alex Palczewski (ankle) Limited
DT Malcolm Roach (illness) DNP

Denver will practice again on Thursday and Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Sunday’s clash with the Panthers.

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Panthers will make QB change ahead of Broncos game

After Andy Dalton sprained his thumb in a car accident, the Panthers are set to start Bryce Young against the Broncos on Sunday.

The Carolina Panthers are set to make a quarterback change ahead of their Week 8 game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Panthers coach Dave Canales said Monday that Andy Dalton would remain the team’s starting quarterback this week. One day later, Dalton was involved in a car accident in Charlotte.

Dalton was present at Wednesday’s practice but he did not participate in the session, according to the team’s injury report. After practice, Canales confirmed that Dalton sprained his thumb and Bryce Young is now set to start against the Broncos on Sunday.

Young, 23, was the No. 1 overall pick out of Alabama last year.

Young went 2-16 as a starter in Charlotte before being benched by the Panthers three games into his second season. Dalton, a 36-year-old veteran, went 1-4 over the last five games with seven touchdowns and six interceptions.

Before being benched, Young completed 56.9% of his passes this fall for 299 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions (he did rush for one score). Young was also sacked seven times. He’s now back in the lineup for Sunday’s game at Empower Field at Mile High.

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Panthers quarterback involved in car crash ahead of Broncos game

The Panthers said quarterback Andy Dalton is “being evaluated by team medical personnel” after he was involved in a car crash on Tuesday.

Story update: After Andy Dalton sprained his thumb in a car accident on Tuesday, the Panthers announced Wednesday that Bryce Young will start against the Broncos. See our original post below.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton and his family were involved in a car crash on Tuesday, the team confirmed.

“Andy Dalton and his family were involved in a car accident today in Charlotte,” the Panthers said in a statement. “Neither Dalton nor his family were transported by emergency medical personnel. Dalton is being evaluated by team medical personnel.”

Dalton, 36, was driving with his wife, three children and the family dog when the accident occurred. It sounds like none of them suffered serious injuries.

Dalton and the Panthers are set to travel to Colorado to face the Denver Broncos in Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season on Sunday. Carolina coach Dave Canales reiterated on Monday that Dalton, not Bryce Young, will start against the Broncos. That was before Tuesday’s accident.

The Panthers are set to have their first practice of the week on Wednesday and Dalton’s status will be a key storyline leading up to Sunday.

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David Tepper describes ‘collaborative effort’ between Scott Fitterer, Matt Rhule

Panthers owner David Tepper has found the model that he wants to build his organization on.

Panthers owner David Tepper has found the model that he wants to build his organization on. While he interviewed a number of candidates from successful teams like the Steelers and the Patriots, ultimately he decided to emulate what the Seahawks have had going for them the last decade.

For the uninitiated, Seattle had a unique decision-making process compared to many NFL teams. John Schneider has been their general manager since 2010, but it wasn’t a buck-stops-here kind of arrangement. Schneider has also shared power with coach Pete Carroll as well as high-level executives like Scot McCloughan and Scott Fitterer, who is currently being introduced as the new GM for Carolina.

It sounds like Tepper wants a similar arrangement for his team. During the introductory press conference for Fitterer, Tepper described a “collaborative effort” between Fitterer and coach Matt Rhule.

Rhule’s influence is the x-factor here. It’s notable that the franchise only gave a five-year deal to Fitterer while Rhule still has six left on his contract, one of the most lucrative for any coach in the league.

While Fitterer has the shiny new title, it’s clear that Rhule wields more power than the average coach, especially one with his experience in the NFL. As long as the two share a team-building philosophy the collaborative team effort Tepper described today has a chance to succeed.

The first project they’ll work on together is deciding who should be the starting quarterback. For now, Teddy Bridgewater has the job by default. Public comments by both Tepper and Rhule indicate his days are numbered, though.

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Panthers owner David Tepper discusses decision to hire Scott Fitterer as GM

Here’s the clip that’s making the rounds, which includes some perceived shade thrown at starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

One week after he was hired, we’ll finally get Scott Fitterer’s first press conference as Panthers GM tomorrow. Tonight there are a few interesting stories circulating regarding the decision, most of all regarding team owner David Tepper.

Here’s the clip that’s making the rounds, which includes some perceived shade thrown at starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

Not exactly subtle.

This isn’t really breaking news, though. Tepper has been pretty up-front about his dissatisfaction with the quarterback situation, which had to be a huge factor in why Hurney was dismissed a month ago. The moves to release Cam Newton with one year on his deal and sign Teddy Bridgewater backfired on the organization pretty badly.

There’s a chance that Bridgewater could still deliver and show a lot of improvement running this offense in 2021 – especially since it seems offensive coordinator Joe Brady is likely to stick around after striking out for head coach jobs.

That said, Tepper’s statements and Matt Rhule’s “we’ll see what happens” comments send a clear signal.

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Christian Miller becomes second Panther to opt out of 2020 season

The Panthers now have two players who opted out of the 2020 season.

The Carolina Panthers now have two players who have decided to opt out of the 2020 NFL season.

The first was undrafted rookie linebacker Jordan Mack. Now, defensive end Christian Miller has decided to do the same, according to the team website.

Miller was a fourth-round pick last year but he did not see much playing time as a rookie in a loaded edge rotation in a veteran-heavy, Ron Rivera-coached defense. An ankle injury didn’t help, either.

While the edge group took a couple big hits with Mario Addison and Bruce Irvin leaving in free agency, there’s still a lot of young talent to be found there.

Miller opting out is far from devastating news for the defense and should result in more snaps to players like Marquis Haynes and second-round pick Yetur Gross-Matos.