A slew of transactions came out of Carolina today, including the opening of defensive tackle LaBryan Ray‘s 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve. The team announced Ray’s return to practice today among several other roster announcements.
For starters, backup guard Chandler Zavala and wide receiver David Moore have both been placed on IR after sustaining injuries in last weekend’s loss to the Patriots. While the announcement didn’t come with many details, each player will be forced to sit out at least the next four games — Zavala with a knee injury and Moore with an injured elbow.
Taking their spots on the 53-man roster will be practice squad running back DeeJay Dallas and practice squad safety Trevian Thomas. Dallas signed to Carolina’s taxi squad after being cut by the Cardinals one year into a three-year deal. While he adds depth the running backs room as Chuba Hubbard continues to be limited at practice with calf issue, his real value in the NFL has come a return man, where he can add depth after the loss of Moore.
Joining Dallas and Thomas on the active roster from a practice squad is offensive lineman Jake Curhan. The Panthers aren’t promoting Curhan from their practice squad, though, they’re signing him off the Cardinals’ p-squad. In his four seasons before this year, Curhan has made replacement starts in 11 games, working at both guard and tackle. With some shuffling likely on the Panthers offensive line, Curhan’s versatile depth can be valuable.
As for Ray, once a five-star recruit who came out of Alabama undrafted, the Panthers will look to add him back to an improved defensive line rotation. Ray earned nine starts last year filling in for an injured Derrick Brown. He’ll now have 21 days to return from an injury of his own before being reverted to season-ending IR.
To fill the open slots on the practice squad, the Panthers signed offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles, running Anthony Tyus III, and offensive lineman Aiden Williams.