Defensive end Wes Horton was one of two players who finished the 2015 season on the Panthers’ practice squad but didn’t sign a reserve/futures contract with the team earlier this week. Two days later though, Horton has announced (via Twitter) that he has indeed signed a one-year deal to remain in Carolina.
“No way I could walk away from an organization as special as this,” Horton said in his tweet.
An undrafted rookie in 2013, Horton made 15 starts for the Panthers in 2014 in place of suspended teammate Greg Hardy. Following a rookie campaign that saw him compile eight tackles and two sacks, the former USC standout finished his sophomore season with 26 tackles and three sacks.
However, 2015 was a tumultuous year for Horton, who returned to a bench role, then was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances. The Panthers cut from their 53-man roster in December, then re-signed him to their practice squad at the start of the postseason before ultimately re-signing him today to a new deal for 2016.
Horton, 26, will likely have to show during training camp and the preseason that he deserves a roster spot and playing time for the ’16 Panthers.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I expect the Panthers to release Charles Johnson soon, so Horton could have a role in replacing him.