Carolina Panthers cut former Pro Bowl LB Deion Jones
The Panthers waived Deion Jones, a long-time starter in the NFL, as part of their mass cuts to get to a 53-man roster.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to break the news. Jones, a middle linebacker, was among 22 players waived by the Panthers on Tuesday morning.
Jones’ tenure in Carolina was a short one. The Panthers signed him in July to give him a look in training camp. He made five tackles in the preseason game slate.
The Falcons brought Jones, the former LSU star and Butkus Award finalist, into the NFL, selecting him in the second round of the 2016 Draft. He started for six years in Atlanta. The Falcons traded the linebacker to the Browns last year. But he was limited by injury and played in only 11 games with five starts.
Jones proved he could make it in the NFL. He finished third in the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award. By 2017, he earned a spot in his first Pro Bowl.
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The Panthers cut three inside linebackers, including Deion Jones
The Panthers released six linebackers on Tuesday among their final cuts. Here’s who else Carolina parted ways with — running back Spencer Brown; wide receivers Shi Smith, Javon Wims, and Josh Vann. The Panthers cut offensive linemen Justin McCray, Michael Jordan, Deonte Brown, Sam Tecklenburg, and JD Direnzo. They waived defensive lineman Raequan Williams; outside linebackers Kobe Jones, Eku Leota, and Jordan Thomas. Along with Jones, the Panthers released inside linebackers Brandon Smith and Ace Eley. The waived defense backs were safety Eric Rowe and cornerbacks Keith Taylor, Stantley Thomas-Oliver, Herb Miller, Mac McCain, and Mark Milton.
Like all 32 teams in the NFL, the Panthers needed to get down to 53 by 4 p.m. Eastern, Tuesday. The NFL had only one mandated cut this year. So that’s why you’re seeing so many names flooding the waiver wire.
Teams now will start populating their practice squads with up to 16 players. So many of the players you see today will find NFL employment. Depending on experience, practice squad players earn anywhere from $11,500 to $19,900 per week.