Panthers Sign 8 To Futures Deals Including DB Ras-I Dowling

The Carolina Panthers officially signed eight players to future/reserve contracts on Tuesday including DB Ras-I Dowling.

The other players signed include: C Reese Dismukes, LB Brian Blechen, OT David Foucault, S Marcus Ball, WR Damiere Byrd, DT Chas Alecxih, and DE Rakim Cox.

Future/reserve contracts are essentially an opportunity for players compete for a roster spot in offseason workouts and training camp.

Dowling, 27, is a former second-round pick of the Patriots back in 2011. He lasted just over two years in New England before he was waived and later signed to the Jets’ practice squad.

The Raiders wound up taking a chance on his at the start of the 2014 season, but he was once again among the team’s final roster cuts at the start of the season.

The Panthers signed him to their practice squad back in November.

In 2014, Dowling appeared in three games for the Raiders, but was limited to recording just a single tackle for them.