Panthers waive Matt Rhule era holdover to make room for Bryce Young’s Alabama teammate
The Panthers cut a Matt Rhule era holdover on Monday before their first padded practice of training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C.
The team announced it waived defensive tackle Bravvion Roy to make room for the signing of former Alabama defensive tackle LaBryan Ray. Roy, a 2020 sixth-round pick, was an awkward fit for the Panthers’ new 3-4 scheme under defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. At 6-foot-1 and 330 pounds, Roy lacked the height and length to thrive at nose tackle in an odd front.
TRAINING CAMP PRACTICE RECAPS: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
Roy played college football at Baylor under Rhule. The former Panthers head coach then drafted Roy in Carolina during his first draft at the helm. Roy played for the Panthers during all three of Rhule’s seasons in Carolina.
During his three-year tenure with the Panthers, Roy, 26, appeared in 45 games and produced 76 tackles, a sack and an interception. He will now be subject to waivers with one year remaining on his rookie contract.
Ray, listed as 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, is likely to play defensive end for the Panthers. The 25-year-old defensive lineman played for Alabama from 2017 to 2021, and he was a teammate of rookie quarterback Bryce Young for two seasons with the Crimson Tide. He won two national championship games at Alabama, including one with Young in 2020.
Ray spent last summer with the New England Patriots. He played for the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars this past spring.
The Panthers’ roster is now at the 90-man limit following the two roster moves.
More training camp reading:
▪ How Panthers lineman went from loading Amazon trucks to signing with hometown team
▪ ‘I need to be here’: Brian Burns on why he’s at Panthers training camp during contract talks
▪ Panthers’ CJ Henderson discusses Carolina’s decision to pass on his fifth-year option
▪ Panthers’ Thompson says new teammate is playing so well he needs to be on the field
▪ Protecting Bryce Young is vital. The good news? Panthers have NC’s own Ickey Ekwonu
▪ Exclusive: Hall of Fame GM Bill Polian on pros, cons of rookie Panthers QB Bryce Young
▪ Bryce Young needs a secret weapon for Panthers. A fellow rookie could fill that role
This story was originally published July 31, 2023 at 9:53 AM.
