Carolina Panthers add running back, defensive tackle to roster before OTAs
The Carolina Panthers tinkered with their roster Monday ahead of next week’s organized team activities (OTA) workouts.
The team signed running back Miles Davis and defensive tackle Tywone Malone following a successful workout, a league source told The Charlotte Observer. Both Davis and Malone went undrafted last month.
The team waived tight end Bryce Pierre and running back Montrell Johnson in corresponding moves. Johnson and Pierre were waived with injury designations. Both players spent all of last season on the team’s practice squad. If Johnson and/or Pierre pass through waivers unclaimed, they will revert to the Panthers’ injured reserve list on Tuesday.
Carolina Panthers add to running back depth chart
Davis, listed as 5-foot-11 and 212 pounds, spent six seasons in college. He played five years at Brigham Young University before transferring to Utah State last season. After collecting just 468 rushing yards and two touchdowns with the Cougars, Davis produced 731 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in his lone campaign with the Aggies. Davis also caught 28 passes for 201 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2025.
Davis also has limited kick return experience, as he had eight total attempts for 146 yards (18.3 per attempt) during his college career.
The undrafted rookie will now compete with the likes of AJ Dillon, Trevor Etienne and Tre Tyus for a spot behind Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks in training camp.
More help on D-line with Turk Wharton sidelined
The Panthers were in need of some extra bodies on the defensive line following defensive end Turk Wharton’s recent neck surgery.
Malone, listed as 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, split his college career between Ole Miss and Ohio State. Over five total seasons, Malone picked up 52 total tackles (3.5 for loss), two sacks and four pass breakups. He won a national championship with the Buckeyes following the 2024 campaign.
Malone will compete for depth reps behind Derrick Brown, Bobby Brown and second-round pick Lee Hunter. His main competition will be Cam Jackson, LaBryan Ray and fellow undrafted rookies, Aaron Hall and Parker Peterson.
With Wharton’s recent surgery and Brooks’ injury history, the Panthers are likely to be cautious about thinning the roster at their respective positions. So, the corresponding moves could come at other spots.
This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 4:04 PM.
