HEADLINES

Tiquan Underwood

Panthers Sign Tiquan Underwood

March 21st, 2014 at 1:32pm CST by Luke Adams

1:32pm: The Panthers have officially announced their deal with Underwood (Twitter link).

11:34am: It’s a two-year deal for Underwood, according to Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter).

11:18am: A day after signing Jerricho Cotchery, the Panthers are set to add another free agent wide receiver to their roster. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports (via Twitter) that Carolina has agreed to terms on a new contract with Tiquan Underwood.

Underwood, who had stints with the Jaguars and Patriots early in his NFL career, spent the last two seasons in Tampa Bay, catching a total of 52 balls for 865 yards and six touchdowns over the course of 2012 and 2013. With Cotchery under contract as more of a possession receiver, Underwood looks like he’ll assume the role of the Panthers’ top deep threat.

So far this offseason, Carolina has released Steve Smith and seen Ted Ginn Jr., Brandon LaFell, and Domenik Hixon sign with other teams, which left Marvin McNutt and Tavarres King atop the depth chart before the signings of Cotchery and Underwood. Last night, we heard that the Panthers were also taking a look at free agent receivers Kevin Cone, Lestar Jean, and C.J. Akins.

FA Rumors: Fitzpatrick, Ihedigbo, Underwood

March 20th, 2014 at 3:27pm CST by Luke Adams

When the Titans released Ryan Fitzpatrick last week, there was an expectation that it wouldn’t take long for the veteran quarterback to find work. Fitzpatrick remains on the market, but at least one potential suitor has emerged. According to Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston (Twitter link), Tennessee’s division rivals, the Texans, are hosting Fitzpatrick for a visit today.

Let’s round up a few more Thursday odds and ends related to the free agents still available….

  • According to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com (via Twitter), center Brian De La Puente finished his visit in Washington and is still considering multiple options, including the Redskins and Saints.
  • Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports (via Twitter) that safety James Ihedigbo, repped by a new agent, has at least two other teams in the mix for him besides the Lions, who seemed to be close to signing him earlier this week. The Ravens appear to be one of those two, as Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun notes (via Twitter).
  • Wide receiver Tiquan Underwood is visiting the Panthers today, says Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). The receiver-thin Panthers already signed Jerricho Cotchery today, and it “looks promising” that they could add Underwood as well.
  • Richie Incognito, who is aiming to return to the NFL in 2014, believes the Raiders make “a lot of sense” as a possible destination, writes Michael Silver of NFL.com.
  • Free agent defensive back Chris Owens had a visit this week with the Steelers, tweets Aaron Wilson.
  • Wilson also reports (via Twitter) that the Broncos tried out free agent safety Jordan Pugh.
  • The Bengals have confirmed (via Twitter) that Louis Murphy visited the club today, which means the wide receiver left the meeting without a deal in place.