Panthers announce signing of former Auburn linebacker Chandler Wooten among multiple roster moves

The Carolina Panthers signed linebacker Chandler Wooten off the Cardinals’ practice squad, the team announced Tuesday. The move fills a void on the roster after the Panthers traded receiver Robbie Anderson to Arizona on Monday in exchange for a pair of late-round draft picks.

An undrafted rookie out of Auburn, Wooten signed with Arizona in the spring. He has yet to play in an NFL regular season game, but recorded 12 tackles and an interception in the preseason.

Wooten recorded 137 total tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery throughout his five-year college career. He will help a Carolina team that is dealing with injuries to linebackers Frankie Luvu and Cory Littleton.

Chandler Wooten was not the only player that the Panthers added Tuesday, however. Carolina also signed three players to its practice squad in linebacker Delontae Scott, defensive end Raequan Williams, and running back Spencer Brown.

With the Panthers 1-5 and undergoing a coaching transition after the firing of Matt Rhule, interim coach Steve Wilks is hopeful they can discover some talent with their recent additions that could help in the future.

“The first place I want to go is practice squad,” Wilks said. “That’s the reason why we create quality guys there and we keep them. Because we feel like we’re grooming them to be starters. They understand the system. Most importantly, the culture that we’re trying to create. As you saw last week with Juston Burris being able to get pulled up. Ready to play.

“I think everybody in this organization, particularly as this team, has a vital role. It’s so important as we talk about practice squad players. They’re future starters. We want to make sure that we build a relationship with them. And we give those guys the extra coaching and teaching outside of normal practice.”

To make room for them on the practice squad, the Panthers released defensive end Austin Larkin, tight end Josh Babicz, and running back John Lovett. They will hope the moves can pay off as they prepare to take on Tampa Bay on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.