Tag: Shaq Lawson

Former Clemson star Shaq Lawson released by the Carolina Panthers

Lawson’s quick stint in Carolina comes to an end.

Shaq Lawson’s latest stint in the NFL has ended abruptly. The Carolina Panthers announced on Tuesday that they have released the veteran outside linebacker from the practice squad, marking the second time this season they’ve let go of a former Clemson Tiger.

Lawson, who signed with the Panthers earlier this month, was elevated to the main roster for Sunday’s 40-7 loss to the Washington Commanders, where he played 14 snaps without recording any stats. The Central, S.C. native, originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, has now completed nine NFL seasons, including two recent years back with Buffalo, where he totaled 4.5 sacks and 44 tackles.

The Panthers have been busy making roster adjustments, also releasing pass rusher Marquis Haynes Sr., along with linebacker Chandler Wooten and defensive lineman T.J. Smith from the active roster. Additionally, defensive lineman Jayden Peevy was released from the practice squad.
Lawson’s release follows that of fellow former Clemson player Deon Cain, who was let go from Carolina’s practice squad in recent weeks. However,

Lawson’s former Daniel High School and Clemson teammate, DeShawn Williams, remains on the Panthers’ active roster. Williams has recorded four tackles and two quarterback hits in four games this season.

Panthers release former 1st-round pick amidst flurry of moves on Tuesday

The Panthers announce a handful of moves on Tuesday.

The Carolina Panthers are really trying to make things work on defense.

Tuesday afternoon played host to a flurry of moves for the team, as they announced three additions and five departures. Among the five players on the outs is outside linebacker Shaq Lawson, who was signed to the practice squad a few weeks ago.

Lawson, a Central, S.C. native, was selected with the 19th overall pick of the 2016 draft by the Buffalo Bills. The Clemson University product was elevated to the main roster for this past Sunday’s 40-7 loss to the Washington Commanders, where he recorded 14 defensive snaps.

Carolina also released fellow pass rusher Marquis Haynes Sr., who has now spent each of his seven NFL campaigns with the Panthers. Haynes Sr. saw action in Week 6 and Week 7, totaling one pressure over 41 snaps.

In addition, the Panthers waived inside linebacker Chandler Wooten and defensive lineman T.J. Smith from the 53-man roster while releasing defensive lineman Jayden Peevy from the practice squad.

Those moves helped make room for the signings of defensive lineman Jonathan Harris and outside linebacker Cam Gill to the active roster and rookie center Andrew Raym to the practice squad.

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Panthers announce 6 moves on Saturday

The Panthers, among a handful of moves made on Saturday, officially announced the release of CB Troy Hill.

The Carolina Panthers made a handful of adjustments a day ahead of their Week 7 matchup against the Washington Commanders.

As first reported by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport yesterday afternoon, the team has released cornerback Troy Hill. The 10th-year veteran has spent the last two seasons as a member of the Panthers.

After splitting his previous eight campaigns between the Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns, Hill initially signed with Carolina in August of 2023. He’d go on to appear in 16 games that year—totaling 48 combined tackles, an interception (and subsequent return for a touchdown), a forced fumble and six passes defensed.

Hill re-signed with the Panthers on a one-year deal this past spring. The 33-year-old played in all six games this season.

Along with Hill’s departure, Carolina also waived rookie center Andrew Raym.

Those two spots on the active roster will be filled by defensive lineman T.J. Smith and cornerback Dane Jackson, who has yet to make his team debut after signing a two-year, $8.5 million contract this offseason. Jackson, while continuing to recover from a hamstring injury, was designated to return to practice on Oct. 2.

They’ll be joined by outside linebacker Shaq Lawson and inside linebacker Shaquille Quarterman, who have been elevated from the practice squad for tomorrow’s contest.

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Panthers announce 5 moves before Week 6 matchup vs. Falcons

The Panthers have signed OLB Marquis Haynes Sr. to their active roster.

Well, it seems as though Marquis Haynes Sr. is game-ready.

The Carolina Panthers announced on Saturday that they have signed the seventh-year outside linebacker to their active roster. Haynes Sr., who spent all six of his previous seasons with the organization, returned as a member of the practice squad on Oct. 4.

With the team’s top pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney considered doubtful for tomorrow’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, head coach Dave Canales talked about the possibility of elevating Haynes Sr. and/or fellow veteran Shaq Lawson from the practice squad for Week 6.

“Know how to use their hands,” Canales said of the two on Friday. “They got a plan for playing the run game, playing the pass game. Nice toolboxes in the pass rush, and those things. So again, it’s just a matter of getting eyes on them and feeling comfortable about them being ready to play football.”

Haynes Sr. appeared in 71 games for the Panthers between 2018 and 2023. He amassed 99 combined tackles, 14.0 sacks and four fumble recoveries.

Carolina also added tight end Ian Thomas to the active roster. Thomas began the regular season on injured reserve due to a calf issue.

Joining Haynes Sr. and Thomas in uniform tomorrow will be offensive lineman Brandon Walton and defensive lineman T.J. Smith—both of whom have been elevated from the practice squad.

Additionally, to help make some room on the roster, the Panthers placed center Austin Corbett on season-ending injured reserve with his biceps tear.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales doesn’t rule out playing newly-signed pass rushers in Week 6

Panthers HC Dave Canales didn’t rule out the possibility of calling up Marquis Haynes Sr. and/or Shaq Lawson for Sunday’s matchup against the Falcons.

With their best pass rusher unlikely to suit up on Sunday, the Carolina Panthers could really use the veteran edge defenders they signed over the past week. And according to head coach Dave Canales, one or both of those players may be up for the weekend.

Canales spoke with reporters for the final time ahead of his team’s Week 6 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, one that is doubtful to include injured starting outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. He was asked if Marquis Haynes Sr. and/or Shaq Lawson, who were both added to the practice squad recently, might be available for the contest in light of Clowney’s status.

“That’s a possibility, that’s why they’re here,” Canales replied. “So we can evaluate them and see if they can help us on Sunday.”

Haynes Sr., who spent each of his previous six NFL seasons in Carolina, returned last Friday. The 2018 fourth-round pick amassed 6.0 sacks for the Panthers over 24 games between 2022 and 2023.

Lawson, a former first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills, is set to enter his ninth pro campaign. He appeared in 16 outings for the Bills this past season, recording 1.0 sack and one start.

Canales later described what he’s seen out of Haynes Sr. and Lawson thus far.

“Yeah, just veteran players,” he said. “Know how to use their hands. They got a plan for playing the run game, playing the pass game. Nice toolboxes in the pass rush, and those things. So again, it’s just a matter of getting eyes on them and feeling comfortable about them being ready to play football.”

Through five games, the Panthers have tallied just 6.0 sacks—tied for the second-lowest amount in the league.

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Panthers officially announce 2 signings on Tuesday

The Panthers made a pair of moves with DeShawn Williams and Shaq Lawson, who were teammates in both high school and college.

Not only were defensive lineman DeShawn Williams and pass rusher Shaq Lawson both born in Central, S.C., but they also played their high school ball together at D.W. Daniel and their college ball together at Clemson University. And now, they’re Carolina Panthers teammates.

As announced this evening, the team officially signed Williams to their active roster and Lawson to their practice squad. The moves added to a busy Tuesday for the Panthers, who signed offensive lineman Cade Mays and outside linebacker Thomas Incoom to the active roster just hours earlier.

Williams, who appeared in 16 games for Carolina in 2023, returned to the team as a member of the practice squad back on Sept. 10. The sixth-year veteran was elevated to the game day roster in Weeks 3 and 4, where he amassed two tackles over 53 defensive snaps.

Lawson, a first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills from the 2016 NFL draft, has recorded 26.0 career sacks in eight seasons.

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Panthers reportedly signing former 1st-round pass rusher

Report: Panthers signing former first-round pick Shaq Lawson

The Carolina Panthers may be adding another seasoned veteran to the edge.

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, the team is signing pass rusher Shaq Lawson. Per Wilson, the 30-year-old defender visited with the Panthers on Tuesday.

Lawson is local—as he was born in Central, S.C. and went on to play his high school ball at D.W. Daniel and his college ball at Clemson University. He wrapped up his three-year stay as a Tiger by earning a consensus All-American nod and a First-team All-ACC selection in 2015.

A few months later, the Buffalo Bills would select Lawson with the 19th overall pick of the 2016 NFL draft. From 2016 to 2019, which proved to be his first go-round in Buffalo, he recorded 16.5 sacks over 50 games.

He’d then go on to pick up stops with the Miami Dolphins (2020), the New York Jets (2021) and the Bills for a second tenure (2022 to 2023). Lawson amassed 9.5 sacks over that time.

Carolina is currently rostering two other former first-round pass rushers in Jadeveon Clowney and Charles Harris.

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Full list of Bills players who will be free agents this offseason

Who will stay and who will go?

As another season of Buffalo Bills football has come to an end, so have another series of contracts that have been signed.

Whether it be grizzled veterans or players seeing the end of their rookie contracts, there are plenty of faces who will not long be under contract in Buffalo in March when free agency opens.

The Bills have plenty of time until then to sign players to extensions, but it’s never so cut-and-dry. According to Over The Cap, Buffalo is estimated to be $49 million over the 2024 NFL salary cap.

Moves must be made and general manager Brandon Beane will earn his own salary with the decisions ahead.

But what you’re here for: The full list of Bills free agents following the 2023 season is below:

PFF: 5 worst-graded Bills players on defense in Wild Card

PFF: 5 worst-graded #Bills players on defense in Wild Card vs. the #Steelers:

The Buffalo Bills won their Wild Card matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 31-17 final.

The Bills (11-6) had a few players that stood out above the rest. On defense, the Bills were led by an attacking defensive front the Steelers could not handle.

In terms of the players who helped them pull out the win, Buffalo will hope such efforts improve from some players throughout the rest of the 2023 playoffs as they aim for the Super Bowl.

According to Pro Football Focus, they’ll need these players to step it up moving forward.

Here are the five worst-graded Bills players on defense Steelers in the Wild Card round:

Steelers, Bills have 8 former Dolphins wild-card matchup

Former Dolphins who will play in Steelers-Bills wild-card game.

The Miami Dolphins have been eliminated from the postseason following their 27-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday night.

So, while Dolphins fans prepare for the offseason, there are a number of former Dolphins who are still playing for a Super Bowl championship that they can support.

On Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills are set to battle in a wild-card matchup of their own, and there are eight former Dolphins on their rosters and practice squads.

Here’s a look at which players who once donned the aqua and orange will play in this one: