The Carolina Panthers have taken in linebacker Isaiah Simmons after all.
As announced on Tuesday, the team has signed Simmons to their practice squad. The University of Clemson standout was considered one of the favorites to be selected by Carolina with the seventh overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft, a spot that was used on (eventual) Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown.
Simmons, a unanimous All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, ended up going right after Brown—to the Arizona Cardinals with the eighth selection. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder went on to play in 50 games over three seasons for the Cardinals—amassing 258 combined tackles, 7.5 sacks, four interceptions and seven forced fumbles.
His last regular-season snap was recorded as a member of the New York Giants in 2024. He also spent this past summer with the Green Bay Packers.
The addition comes as Carolina continues to deal with injuries at the inside linebacker position. Last night’s 20-9 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, which began without usual starters Trevin Wallace and Christian Rozeboom, also saw an early exit from Claudin Cherelus—who sustained a concussion.
To make room for Simmons, the Panthers released safety Trevian Thomas from the practice squad.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
