Panthers re-sign former fifth-round pick Daviyon Nixon to practice squad

The Carolina Panthers took a bit of a gamble earlier in the week, and it appears that it has paid off. The Panthers decided to waive their former fifth-round pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon, on Monday. And according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Carolina second-year d-lineman will remain a member of the team.

“Panthers DT Daviyon Nixon cleared waivers today and will head back to the team’s practice squad, source said. Their former fifth round pick stays in the fold,” wrote Rapoport via Twitter.

The move was a massive gamble as the former Iowa Hawkeye appeared to be coming around this offseason and preseason. With Carolina electing to release him, the other 31 NFL franchises had the opportunity to pick him up off waivers. Fortunately, that was not the case, and he is now back with the Panthers as a member of their practice squad.

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Nixon was selected with the 158th overall pick in the draft out of Iowa. The defensive tackle racked up a few prestigious awards during his time with the Hawkeyes. In 2020, he was named a unanimous All-American, first-team All-Big Ten, the Big-Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, and the Big-Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

Since being drafted by Carolina last season, Nixon has played in a total of seven games, recording nine tackles, one solo, and a half a sack. While his time with the Panthers looked to be nearing the end, he will remain close to the team. Allowing him to be called up at any given time during the regular season to show his level of improvement.

Panthers make three new additions ahead of Week One

The Carolina Panthers made several tweaks to the roster and practice squad on Monday ahead of their Week 1 showdown versus the Cleveland Browns. To add some depth and versatility to the defensive line, the Panthers signed former New England Patriots defensive end Henry Anderson.

In a corresponding move and to get under the 53-man limit, the Panthers waived defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon. The team had a surplus of DTs and a deficit of ends going into the first week of the season. However, they’ve fixed the issue with the signing of the 6-foot-6 former Stanford star. Nixon was a fifth-round draft pick for the Panthers in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Henry Anderson was a third-round pick for the Indianapolis Colts in the 2015 NFL Draft. He ended up playing three seasons for the Colts, three seasons for the Jets and one with the Patriots. Last season, he played just four games, totaling three tackles.

Carolina also added two players to the practice squad Monday morning, signing safety Marquise Blair and wide receiver Preston Williams. They released wide receiver Ra’Shaun Henry and safety Kenny Robinson from the practice squad as well.

As a rookie in Miami, Preston Williams led the team in receptions before tearing his ACL. He caught 32 passes for 428 yards and three scores in seven games before going on the injured reserve list. He’s played eight games in each of his three seasons in the league since leaving Colorado State.

Blair, a 2019 second-round pick out of Utah, could play nickel for the Panthers if he moves to the active roster. He wrapped up the last two seasons on injured reserve due to knee injuries.