Tag: Rashaan Melvin

Panthers release 3 players on Wednesday

The Panthers officially cut ties with three players from their inactive list on Wednesday.

The Carolina Panthers had some cleaning up to do on Wednesday.

Per the league transaction wire, the team cut ties with three players from their inactive list—cornerbacks Rashaan Melvin and Justin Layne and linebacker Jordan Mack.

Melvin was terminated from the reserve/retired designation. After not reporting to training camp this summer, the 33-year-old officially called it quits on July 27.

That decision closed the book on a seven-year NFL career. In 2021, his lone season with Carolina, Melvin appeared in 10 games with a pair of starts.

Keeping on the subject of “not reporting,” Layne was terminated from the reserve/did not report list. Despite being claimed off waivers ahead of the Week 16 matchup with the Detroit Lions, the 24-year-old defensive back simply did not show up to the team facility.

Similarly to Melvin, Mack was waived from retirement. The undrafted free agent out of the University of Virginia opted out of the 2020 campaign due to COVID-19 concerns and retired the following spring.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxc4awx2fz2sn9 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Panthers CB Rashaan Melvin retires

Prior to the team’s first training camp practice on Wednesday, Panthers CB Rashaan Melvin called it quits on an eight-year NFL career.

Carolina Panthers cornerback Rashaan Melvin was not present on Tuesday as players reported to Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. And now, we know why.

As announced by the team prior to their first training camp practice this morning, the 32-year-old veteran has retired. Melvin played in 10 games, including a pair of starts, for the Panthers in 2021.

The Waukegan, Ill. native broke into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013. He’d go on to rack up a number of different stops during his eight-year professional career—a journey that later crossed with the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Melvin totaled 260 combined tackles, four interceptions, three forced fumbles and 41 passes defensed over 74 games. His best campaign came in 2017 with the Colts—where he notched highs in picks (three) and passes defensed (13).

With Melvin’s departure, Carolina is now down to 89 men on their current roster.

[lawrence-related id=655623,655613]

[listicle id=655532]

Panthers, CB Rashaan Melvin agree to terms on one-year deal

The Panthers announced the return of CB Rashaan Melvin, who is back on a one-year deal for 2022.

By normal societal standards, Rashaan Melvin is a young gun. But as a member of the current Carolina Panthers cornerbacks room, he’s an OG.

On Wednesday afternoon, the team announced they’ve agreed to terms on a deal with the 32-year-old defender. The new pact will run through the 2022 season.

Melvin will return as the elder statesman of the group for his ninth NFL campaign. He cracked into the league back in 2013 as an undrafted free agent out of Northern Illinois University.

This past year, Melvin appeared in 10 games for Carolina. Those outings, which included a pair of starts, resulted in sixteen combined tackles and—for the film buffs—a 59.2 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus.

The Panthers are also fresh off bringing back fellow corner Donte Jackson, who signed a three-year, $35.1 million contract to return. Melvin and Jackson return to head the crop of youngsters that features Jaycee Horn, CJ Henderson, Keith Taylor Jr. and Myles Hartsfield.

[lawrence-related id=651482,651484]

[listicle id=651434]

Panthers missing CB Stephon Gilmore, LT Cameron Erving again on Thursday

With Cameron Erving out of practice again on Thursday, a second straight start at LT for Panthers rookie Brady Christensen looks to be a real possibility.

We might as well slap the ol’ “Out” tag on Carolina Panthers cornerback Stephon Gilmore for Week 17. If the head coach comes out, as early as Matt Rhule did on Wednesday, and says you’re not expected to play—that’s essentially as good as official.

So, Thursday’s absence of the 2019 Defensive Player of Year was not the least bit surprising. Also remaining out with Gilmore was offensive lineman Cameron Erving.

The 2021 free-agent signing has already missed six games due to various injuries in his first season with Carolina. If he cannot go for the second straight week, we’ll likely see rookie Brady Christensen start on the blindside once again.

Here’s how the rest of the day’s report panned out:

Injury Wed. Thurs. Fri. Game status
LT Cameron Erving Calf DNP DNP
CB Stephon Gilmore Groin DNP DNP
S Kenny Robinson Illness DNP –
S Juston Burris Groin Limited Limited
LB Jermaine Carter Jr. Groin Limited Limited
S Sean Chandler Groin – Limited

(Geez, that’s a lot of groin pains.)

In addition to being a little short on the report, the Panthers also placed a new trio of players on the reserve/COVID-19 list—safety Kenny Robinson, running back Reggie Bonnafon and defensive end Darryl Johnson. They did, however, get back corner Rashaan Melvin, who will provide some much needed help for a battered secondary.

[lawrence-related id=647800]

[lawrence-related id=647795]

[listicle id=647458]

Panthers Week 10 injury report: DE Brian Burns questionable vs. Cardinals

Panthers DE Brian Burns was a full participant in Friday’s practice and is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals.

The Carolina Panthers may or may not have Superman in uniform on Sunday. Funnily enough, the same can also be said about Spiderman.

Spidey-sensed defensive end Brian Burns has officially been listed as questionable for the Week 10 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. His full participation on Friday, however, is a solid sign that the Panthers will have their stud pass rusher on deck for the potent Kyler Murray-led offense.

Burns, in what’s become a highly-publicized incident, had his foot grabbed and twisted by New England Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones this past week. The third-year defender would exit the 24-6 loss later on in the contest with a sprained ankle.

Here’s the final injury report heading into the weekend:

Injury Wed. Thurs. Fri. Game status
DE Brian Burns Foot DNP Limited Full Questionable
QB Sam Darnold Right shoulder DNP DNP – –
LB Frankie Luvu Knee DNP Limited Limited Questionable
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver III Toe DNP DNP DNP Out
CB Rashaan Melvin Hand Limited Limited Limited Out
CB C.J. Henderson Shoulder Full Full Full –
LB Shaq Thompson Knee Full Full Full –
LB Jermaine Carter Jr. Groin Full Full Full –
CB Stephon Gilmore Quad – Limited Limited –
DE Marquis Haynes Sr. Foot – Full Full –

Carolina will, for sure, be without a pair of corners in Thomas-Oliver III and Melvin. According to head coach Matt Rhule, Henderson will be in play to help fortify the injured secondary.

Given their lack of game statuses—Thompson, Carter Jr. and Gilmore should also all be good to go for the unit.

[lawrence-related id=644800]

[listicle id=644701]

Panthers Week 6 inactives: CB C.J. Henderson out vs. Vikings

Among the Week 6 inactives for the Panthers is CB C.J. Henderson (shoulder), who has played sparingly in his first two games with Carolina.

Even after parting with a third-round pick and a tight they really liked in Dan Arnold, the Carolina Panthers aren’t going to rush cornerback C.J. Henderson into the fold. They aren’t going to rush him back from injury either.

Among Sunday’s announced inactives was the second-year defensive back, who’s played sparingly in his first two games as a Panther. Henderson, despite being listed as a full participant in practice on Friday, will remain on the sideline due to a shoulder injury.

In Henderson’s place will be veteran Rashaan Melvin, who has once again been called up to the active roster. Melvin has served as a valuable depth piece at corner for the defense this year, having taken a healthy amount of snaps on the perimeter amidst numerous injuries.

Also receiving a call-up is punter Ryan Winslow. Winslow was signed on Thursday after the team placed starter Joseph Charlton on the injured reserve.

Here’s the full list of inactives for Carolina in Week 6:

CB C.J. Henderson
LB Shaq Thompson
DT Phil Hoskins
LB Kamal Martin
RB Spencer Brown
DE Darryl Johnson

And here’s who’s down for the Minnesota Vikings across the way:

QB Kellen Mond
LB Chazz Surratt
TE Ben Ellefson
DT Michael Pierce
DE Patrick Jones
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette

[lawrence-related id=642730]

[listicle id=642682]

Panthers officially place rookie CB Jaycee Horn on IR

The Panthers will now officially be without rookie CB Jaycee Horn for at least much of what remains in the 2021 season.

It was all over but the move itself for Jaycee Horn and the Carolina Panthers. And now, the move has come.

On early Monday evening, the team announced they have placed the rookie cornerback on the injured reserve. This affirms the statements made just hours prior by head coach Matt Rhule, who said he did expect Horn to miss an extended amount of time following surgery.

The 2021 eighth overall pick exited the Panthers’ 24-9 win in Week 3 after a backpedal floored him early in the second half. He was later diagnosed with multiple breaks in the metatarsal area of his right foot.

While the injury is not necessarily a season-ending one just yet, Rhule did state that the team will not rush Horn’s return and allow him the proper time and care to recover fully.

As a result, along with the trade for 2020’s ninth overall pick and second-year cornerback C.J. Henderson, the Panthers signed veteran Raashan Melvin to the active roster. Melvin, who had been elevated off the practice squad over the past two weeks, played a total of 62 defensive snaps between the victories over the New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans.

Offensive lineman Mike Horton, as also announced by the team, has been brought back to take Melvin’s spot on the practice squad.

[lawrence-related id=641427]

[listicle id=641479]

Panthers injury updates: RB Christian McCaffrey not expected to go on IR

The Panthers, fortunately, do not expect to be without star RB Christian McCaffrey for too long.

Not only did the Carolina Panthers take in a fresh breath of air with Monday’s trade for cornerback C.J. Henderson, but they also took one out with the current (and encouraging) status of their superstar running back.

When speaking to reporters today (although mainly about Henderson), head coach Matt Rhule gave fans another reason to feel pretty, pretty good. He soundly stated that the team does not envision having to place Christian McCaffrey on the injured reserve list moving forward.

“Christian won’t go on IR,” he said. “I would expect that we put Jaycee [Horn] at some point this week. Scott [Fitterer] will handle that. Jaycee will obviously have surgery and be out for a while. And Christian, we don’t see in that light.”

Although the bit on Horn is a bummer, news of his surgery and long-term absence was to be expected. The rookie cornerback broke multiple bones in his right foot during the Panthers’ 24-9 win over the Houston Texans in Week 3.

McCaffrey, on the other hand, won’t be out too long with his strained hamstring.

Rhule also provided an update on safety Juston Burris, who also had to exit the victory early this past Thursday night. He believes Burris will be back in “a couple of weeks” while he heals up from a groin injury.

As some insurance for these secondary losses, in addition to taking in Henderson, the team has signed cornerback Rashaan Melvin, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, off the practice squad and onto the active roster. Melvin has played in each of the last two games for a total of 62 defensive snaps against the Houston and the New Orleans Saints.

[lawrence-related id=641478]

[listicle id=641479]

Panthers officially sign QB James Morgan, release CB Rashaan Melvin

The Panthers made two additions, and one notable subtraction, to their practice squad official on Thursday.

After a week of roster shakeups and another practice on Thursday, the Carolina Panthers headed into their extended weekend for a well-deserved reprieve. That, however, would not start until a few adjustments were to be made.

The team announced the signing of quarterback James Morgan, making the reported addition now official this afternoon. He will, as anticipated, join the practice squad ahead of the regular season opener against the New York Jets next Sunday.

Morgan, assuming this is not by coincidence, had been with the Jets since 2020, when he was drafted in the fourth round out of Florida International University. After spending the entire summer with New York, the 24-year-old will likely be tapped into for some intel on head coach Robert Saleh’s offense for their Week 1 matchup.

Carolina announced another pair of moves to the practice squad, as they also signed wide receiver Aaron Parker and released cornerback Rashaan Melvin. Melvin’s exclusion from the initial 53-man roster was one of the more surprising moves from the team this past week.

Today’s departure of the seventh-year veteran, along with Morgan and Parker now coming onboard, leaves the Panthers with three open spots on the practice squad.

[vertical-gallery id=639942]

Panthers release veteran CB Rashaan Melvin

In a bit of a surprise, the Panthers released CB Rashaan Melvin during their second wave of cuts on Tuesday.

The Carolina Panthers couldn’t follow up the shocker the New England Patriots delivered earlier in the day. Who can? But they did break out a little surprise of their own.

In their second wave of cuts on Tuesday, the team released cornerback Rashaan Melvin. Melvin, now on his seventh NFL season, was expected to provide the Carolina secondary with some veteran depth amongst an otherwise young and thin group.

That, barring the final cut coming at the expense of the position will leave the Panthers with their 2021 first-round pick Jaycee Horn, Donte Jackson, Keith Taylor, Stantley Thomas-Oliver III and Myles Hartsfield at corner. A.J. Bouye will also join the pack after he serves the remaining two games of his six-game suspension.

Alongside Melvin in these latest departures goes safety Kenny Robinson, running back Reggie Bonnafon and long snapper Thomas Fletcher. The move of Fletcher to the season-ending injured reserve effectively clinches the long-snapping job back to J.J. Jansen, who will be entering his 13th regular season with the organization.

Catch up and keep up with all the cuts here as the 4 p.m. ET deadline approaches.

[vertical-gallery id=639215]