Panthers Give Forgotten Playmaker Chance at NFL Comeback With Surprise Signing

The Carolina Panthers made several roster moves on Tuesday as they prepare to play the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14. According to Aaron Wilson, the Panthers signed running back Emani Bailey, outside linebacker Thomas Incoom, and tight end Dominique Dafney to the practice squad.

If Dominique Dafney’s name sounds familiar, it should as the veteran tight end began his career with the Green Bay Packers. The Packers signed Dafney to their practice squad in Oct. 2020 after getting waived by the Indianapolis Colts in September of that season.

The 6-foot-2 tight end spent two seasons in Green Bay, where he appeared in 15 games and had four receptions (six targets) for 60 yards and a touchdown. The Packers released Dafney during the 2022 preseason, but he latched on with the Denver Broncos.

However, the Broncos released the veteran tight end on Oct. 10, 2022. Despite being let go by two teams, Dafney was signed to the Indianapolis Colts practice squad in December but was cut nine days later.

The veteran pass catcher was signed to a reserves/futures contract at the end of the 2022 season by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and went to training camp with them last year. But the Buccaneers waived Dafney at the end of the preseason with an injury designation.

The Panthers hope to have rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders back on the field this weekend after missing last week’s game with a neck injury. However, there’s nothing wrong with Carolina giving Dafney a look, especially since he was with Dave Canales in Tampa Bay last year.

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