Isaiah Simmons has found a new home. The veteran defender has joined the Panthers practice squad, according to Darin Gantt of the team’s website. To make room on the taxi squad, the team released safety Trevian Thomas.
Simmons joined the Packers back in April but was among the team’s final preseason cuts. He’s been lingering in free agency since that time, with an October workout with the Steelers representing his lone visit of the 2025 campaign.
As Gantt notes, Simmons was once a candidate to be selected by the Panthers with the seventh-overall pick in the 2020 draft. Carolina ended up opting for defensive tackle Derrick Brown, and Simmons was snagged by the Cardinals with the following pick.
Simmons didn’t make it through his full rookie contract in Arizona. He spent the first three seasons of his career with the organization, collecting 7.5 sacks in 50 games (37 starts). He was traded to the Giants for a seventh-round pick ahead of the 2023 campaign, and he proceeded to spend the next two seasons in New York. Simmons transitioned to safety during his time with the Giants, starting five of his 34 appearances.
The Panthers will consider playing their new addition at both safety and linebacker, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. The team’s most immediate need is at LB. The Panthers played without Christian Rozeboom and Trevin Wallace last night before losing Claudin Cherelus to a concussion.