The Carolina Panthers announced Thursday that they’ve signed S Dezmen Southward to a future/reserve contract.
Southward becomes the 15th player to sign a futures deal with the Panthers since their season ended. The full list includes:
- OL Eric Crume (NFLTR)
- OT Blaine Clausell
- WR Kayarris Garrett
- CB Tyler Patton
- RB Jalen Simmons
- TE Scott Simonson
- OT Pearce Slater
- OT Tyrus Thompson
- TE Eric Wallace
- S Brian Blechen
- OT Jake Rodgers
- FB Darrel Young
- CB Jeff Richards
- DB L.J. McCray
- S Dezmen Southward
Future/reserve contracts are essentially an opportunity for players compete for a roster spot in offseason workouts and during training camp.
Southward, 24, is a former third-round pick of the Falcons back in 2014. He lasted just over a year in Atlanta before he was cut and was later signed by the Colts to their practice squad.
The Colts brought Southward back in a future’s deal but he was waived with an injury settlement during the first week of the regular season. He later finished out the year on the Panthers’ practice squad.
In 2015, Southward appeared in three games and recorded one tackle for the Falcons.
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