CHARLOTTE, NC – The Carolina Panthers are getting secondary reinforcements.
Rookie running back Dillon Johnson assisted on the NFL team’s first touchdown since Christmas Eve, but it wasn’t enough to secure a spot on the preseason roster.
As the Panthers return to practice on Tuesday, changes continue to be made to the re-forming franchise. Coming off a 15-12 loss to the New York Jets on Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium, the Panthers will begin preparations for their final exhibition game next Saturday at the Buffalo Bills with several new faces.
@PantherPlayers stretch before Saturday night @NFL Preseason game vs.@nyjets… pic.twitter.com/Zq4MGCXZzD
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) 20 August 2024
Panthers strengthen central defender depth with new signings
Prospective CB2 Dane Jackson suffered a hamstring injury during training camp last week, and reserves Lamar Jackson and Anthony Brown left Saturday’s game with injuries and did not return. Dane Jackson will be out “about six weeks,” coach Dave Canales said. Lamar Jackson was also released with an injury.
After Monday’s practice, the Panthers signed free agent cornerbacks Quandre Mosely and Chris Wilcox, adding depth to a depleted cornerback roster.
Mosley, 25, has played for the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wilcox, 26, has NFL experience with the Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers. He was selected by the Bucs in the seventh round of the 2021 draft.
To make room on the roster, the Panthers placed Brown and quarterback Jake Luton on the injured list, released injured wide receiver Tayvion Robinson and released Johnson.
The Panthers also re-signed cornerback Willie Drew, wide receiver Sam Pinckney and rookie running back Jaden Shirden, who previously played a role in the offseason program.
The Panthers’ ragtag secondary, led by reserve cornerback D’Shawn Jamison and rookie Chau Smith-Wade, held the Jets’ backup quarterbacks to 85 yards passing.
“This group is making a statement for themselves as we move forward,” Canales said Saturday.
@PantherCoach Dave Canales talks about the efforts of the secondary during Saturday@NFLPreseason defeat against@nyjets… pic.twitter.com/xUtEglnXeC
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) 18 August 2024
Dillon Johnson ends Panthers’ touchdown drought and gets the next locker
Thanks, Rook.
Now pack your bags.
Johnson emerged as one of the few standout offensive players on Saturday, rushing for 83 yards on 18 carries, the most on the team. On the Panthers’ final possession, his number was called on every play and he rushed for 66 yards. He broke a tackle behind the line of scrimmage and scored a touchdown on a 2-yard run as time expired.
“I’m not going to lie to you. I don’t know what to feel,” Johnson said. “We ran it about (seven) times in a row, so I definitely had to put on my big boy pants.”
“When you’re a big player, you always want the ball when everything’s on the line. And I did my job. I don’t think anyone expected it, but the running game got better, so he kept passing to me.”
The carry on the second attempt gave the Panthers their first touchdown since the fourth quarter of a shootout loss to the Green Bay Packers in 2023, or 215 days ago.
“Just the finish felt good, we played the ball the way we wanted to, that tough style of pushing the ball forward,” Canales said. “Dillon did a great job for us and finished the game right there.”
Johnson, an undrafted free agent from Washington, signed with the Panthers on July 31 after previously playing with the Tennessee Titans. He said he had planned a celebration for his first NFL touchdown but was “too tired.”
@PantherRB Dillon Johnson talks about his 1st @NFL TD against@nyjetsSaturday. 2 days later the newcomer was released… pic.twitter.com/EuKwKSAMog
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) 20 August 2024
Main photo: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
