Panthers Waive LB Derrek Thomas From IR, Sign LB Clay Johnston To PS

The Carolina Panthers announced Tuesday that they’ve signed LB Clay Johnston to their practice squad and waived LB Derrek Thomas from injured reserve with an injury settlement. 

Here’s the Panthers updated practice squad:

1. DT Myles Adams
2. RB Reggie Bonnafon
3. DT Woodrow Hamilton
4. DT Bruce Hector
5. G Mike Horton
6. WR Ishmael Hyman
7. DB Natrell Jamerson
8. DE Austin Larkin
9. WR Marken Michel
10. LB Chris Orr
11. TE Giovanni Ricci
12. C Sam Tecklenburg
13. K Kaare Vedvik
14. S Kenny Robinson
15. OL Matt Kaskey
16. LB Clay Johnston

Thomas, 24, wound up going undrafted out Baylor back in April. He later signed a three-year, $1.755 million contract with the Seahawks.

Thomas lasted just a few months in Seattle before he was waived and later signed by the Steelers. Pittsburgh cut him loose with an injury designation and he later reverted to their injured reserve list before being waived with a settlement. 

From there, Thomas signed on with the Panthers in April, but was waived with an injury designation and once again reverted to injured reserve. Carolina placed him on the COVID0-19 list a few weeks ago. 

During his college career at Temple and Baylor, Thomas recorded 56 tackles, two interceptions, and 19 pass defenses over the course of three seasons and 27 games.

Johnson, 24, was selected with the No. 234 overall pick in the seventh round by the Rams this past April. He signed a four-year, $3.38 million contract with Los Angeles.

However, the Rams opted to waive Johnson last weekend as they cut their roster down to 53 players.

During his college career at Baylor, Johnston recorded 237 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumbles and seven passes defended over the course of four seasons and 35 games.