We’re continuing our countdown to the start of the Carolina Panthers regular season.
Hello CSR! We’re 46 Days away from the start of regular season Panthers football! That means we’re going to take today to highlight #46 for the Panthers: tight end Dominique Dafney!
Dafney entered the league in 2020 as an undrafted free agent out of Indiana State, signing with the Colts. He was waived during final roster cuts, but eventually found a home with the Packers in October of that year on their practice squad. He ended up playing in 15 total games with 4 starts, with 235 total snaps on offense and 150 special teams snaps during that time (all stats per Pro Football Reference). He caught 4 passes and a TD as part of the offensive rotation. He was eventually released on an injury settlement in 2022, and bounced around the league (and even the UFL) since then, before landing on the Panthers practice squad late last season and signing to a futures contract for 2025.
A few weeks ago I’d have probably told you Dafney’s only real shot with the Panthers would be on the practice squad, however this week the Panthers placed Tommy Tremble on the PUP list. While it doesn’t seem like the coaches are all that worried about Tremble for 2025, this opens some snaps in training camp and the preseason with the 1s and 2s at tight end. Ja’Tavion Sanders and rookie Mitchell Evans likely are locks to make the final roster, there could be room for one more in the tight end room if Tremble isn’t 100% come roster cut down time. Having some experience in real game time would help Dafney’s cause, though I wouldn’t bet on it.
What are your thoughts on the tight end room this off-season, Panthers fans?