The Panthers added a pair of tight ends today. The team signed Nate Becker to a one-year deal, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter). The team also announced the signing of veteran Ryan Izzo. To make room on the roster, the Panthers waived/injured cornerback Devin Jones. They also cut wide receiver Andrew Parchment from the injured reserve with an injury settlement, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter).
A former seventh-round pick, Izzo spent the first three seasons of his career with the Patriots, getting into 18 games. He started each of his 12 games during the 2020 campaign, hauling in 13 receptions for 199 yards. He spent time with four different organizations during the 2021 campaign, including stints with the Titans, Giants, Seahawks, and Titans.
Becker went undrafted out of Miami (OH) in 2019. Following a brief stint with the Lions, he caught on with the Bills, and he spent the better part of two seasons with the organization. He spent most of his tenure in Buffalo on the practice squad, although he did get into one contest. The 26-year-old spent the 2021 campaign unsigned.
All of Ian Thomas, Colin Thompson, and Josh Babicz are currently sidelined with injuries, leaving the squad with Tommy Tremble, Stephen Sullivan, and Jared Scott as their only healthy TEs. Izzo and Becker will temporarily provide some extra depth at the position.
Jones just joined the Panthers last week, and he’ll likely land on IR unless he’s claimed on waivers. Parchment recently landed on injured reserve after getting waived/injured with an undisclosed injury.
I would expect that Tremble ends up the night one TE in Carolina sooner rather than later. The team seemed high on him, and don’t really have a long term player who’s solidified himself at the position. Thomas was supposed to be that player, but has had ups and downs s as once his entry into the league. Tremble has talent, but maybe more importantly, there’s not much in his way to earn a starting nod.