Carolina Panthers sign linebacker Deion Jones to one-year deal

The Carolina Panthers are signing free agent linebacker Deion Jones to a one-year deal, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. Jones worked out for the team on Monday after their training camp practice and walked out with a new contract. By joining the Panthers, Jones is on to his third team in eight seasons after having also played for Atlanta and Cleveland.

Last season, the former LSU Tiger played for the Cleveland Browns following a trade from the Falcons in exchange for future draft picks. In 2022, he posted 44 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception in 11 games played.

Prior to his trade to Cleveland, Jones played six seasons for the Atlanta Falcons. They drafted him in 2016 in the second round. He totaled more than 100 tackles in all but one season for Atlanta. He also had 11 interceptions over his first five seasons, along with 6.5 sacks and multiple forced fumbles.

In 2017, Jones earned his first Pro Bowl nod. He had a career-high 138 tackles that year.

Playing at LSU from 2012-2015, Jones had his best season as a senior for the Tigers. He posted 99 tackles with five sacks and two interceptions in 2015, majorly boosting his draft stock.

Panthers waive Bravvion Roy, sign LaBryan Ray

The Carolina Panthers made a key roster move over the weekend, waiving defensive tackle Bravvion Roy. Roy was entering his fourth year in the league after the Panthers swiped him up in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Now, the defensive tackle will look for a new home for Year 4.

A former standout for Baylor, Roy had 76 tackles over 45 games played for Carolina. His most productive season came in 2021 when he posted 30 tackles, including three tackles for loss. Over his first three seasons, Roy had one sack, recorded in a game versus the Vikings in 2020.

Roy made 15 starts over his time with the Panthers but ultimately couldn’t hold on to a starting position over some newcomers.

The Carolina Panthers moved on from Roy and signed former Alabama defensive lineman LaBryan Ray instead.

Ray spent time last season with the New England Patriots after going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, spending the year on the practice squad before going on the practice squad injured reserve list.

He played this spring and summer with the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL and is the first player signed by an NFL franchise off the 2023 Stars roster.

On Saturday, the team also announced that quarterback Jake Luton is joining the team. Luton, a former Oregon State standout, was signed as the team’s fourth quarterback for training camp. It allows the team to manage the workload a little better through practice, as well as through preseason action.