Panthers agree to terms with former Falcons linebacker Deion Jones after camp workout
The Panthers added a former Pro Bowl player to their roster on Monday.
The team agreed to terms with former Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns linebacker Deion Jones on a one-year deal following Monday’s padded practice, a league source confirmed. ESPN was the first outlet to report the agreement.
Jones, a 2017 Pro Bowl selection, worked out for the Panthers after their fourth workout of camp. The workout took place on the practice fields at Wofford College.
The Panthers’ roster is currently at the 90-man roster limit so a corresponding move would need to be made to make Jones’ acquisition official.
Jones will serve as depth behind starting linebackers Shaq Thompson and Frankie Luvu. Jones will compete with Kamu Grugier-Hill, last year’s fourth-round pick Brandon Smith and special teams ace Chandler Wooten for playing time. The team also has undrafted rookies Bumper Pool and Ace Eley at the position.
Ahead of the workout with Jones, Panthers head coach Frank Reich gave the linebacker group his support but also acknowledge the position needed added depth.
“I feel good about the group,” Reich said. “Shaq, Frankie, Kamu — I mean, it’s a good group. But we need depth — it’s a long season. Deion’s been a good player, so get him in here, work him out and then sit down and make a decision on that here quick.”
TRAINING CAMP PRACTICE RECAPS: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
Jones, a 2016 second-round pick of the Falcons, played his first six seasons in Atlanta. He was traded to the Browns last season.
Jones has produced 636 tackles, 11 sacks, 12 interceptions and five forced fumbles during his seven-year career. The 6-foot-1, 227-pound linebacker has played in a few different defense systems over the years, and he is a strong fit as an inside defender for the Panthers’ new 3-4 front.
At 28, Jones still has some gas left in the tank. While he might not be a Pro Bowl-level player anymore, he has the talent and experience to push for work behind Luvu and Thompson. If the Panthers plan on using Luvu more as an edge player this season, Jones could always move into the middle to fill the talent void next to Thompson.
UPDATE (7:04 p.m.): The Panthers also agreed to terms with defensive tackle Nick Thurman on Monday afternoon. Thurman, a University of Houston alum, has played for five NFL teams since going undrafted in 2018.
The 6-foot-4, 305-pound lineman played eight total games for the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons from 2020 to 2021. He produced 11 total tackles in that limited action. He will compete for a deep depth job behind defensive line starters Derrick Brown, Shy Tuttle and Marquan McCall. The team also has DeShawn Williams, Henry Anderson, Taylor Stallworth, Raequan Williams and LaBryan Ray at the position. Defensive linemen John Penisini (calf) and Jalen Redmond (undisclosed) are currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
Two corresponding moves would need to take place before Tuesday morning for Jones and Thurman to practice on Tuesday at Wofford. The team has been busy with reworking its defensive depth chart. Earlier in the day, the team waived defensive tackle Bravvion Roy to make room for Ray.
More training camp reading:
▪ He’s a huge Carolina Panthers fan and podcaster. He’s also an inspiration
▪ 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
This story was originally published July 31, 2023 at 3:39 PM.
