Carolina Panthers roster moves: Veteran DB claimed off waivers, offensive lineman cut
The Carolina Panthers have added another former Ejiro Evero pupil to their secondary.
On Tuesday, the team claimed former Denver Broncos safety Caden Sterns off waivers. Sterns was waived by the Broncos on Monday. The Panthers have the first priority on the NFL waiver wire.
Sterns played under Evero, the Panthers’ defensive coordinator, when the coach served in the same role with the Broncos in 2022.
The 24-year-old safety spent his first three seasons in Denver, producing 49 tackles, two sacks, nine pass breakups and four interceptions in 21 career games (five starts). Sterns has missed 28 games due to injury over the past two seasons. He was limited to just one game last season due to a knee injury sustained in Week 1.
The 2021 fifth-round pick joins a competitive safety group that recently lost special teams ace, Sam Franklin, to a broken foot. The group is led by starters Xavier Woods and Jordan Fuller. Nick Scott and Alex Cook are also expected to have notable roles.
Sterns will get the entire preseason to prove himself to Evero and company this summer.
To make room for Sterns, the Panthers waived guard J.D. DiRenzo with an injury designation. DiRenzo suffered an ankle injury in practice on Tuesday, and he will be subject to waivers. If he were to go unclaimed, he would revert to the team’s injured reserve.
The Panthers roster is currently at the 90-man limit.
