Hendon Hooker joined Carolina's practice squad after preseason QB churn, signaling a long-range development plan behind Bryce Young and Andy Dalton. Perkins and Plummer were cut, opening a spot for Hooker’s growth as a potential future signal-caller. Hooker’s Tennessee tape and knee rehab are noted, but Carolina stresses patient development rather than immediate fantasy upside, with Young firmly at the helm and Dalton as the steady veteran backup.

Dynasty managers should view Hooker as a speculative stash, not a Week 1 contributor. The Panthers’ present plans keep Hooker off the fantasy radar in 2024 unless injury or collapse reshapes the depth chart. Jared Goff’s starter arc with Detroit is cited to frame Hooker’s current NFL exposure, reinforcing the broader point: Carolina is building depth and future upside more than immediate production.

The Titans are targeting seven recently cut players via the waiver wire to bolster depth across backfield, quarterback, edge, and secondary. Audric Estime stands out as a ready-made bridge for Tyjae Spears’ early absence, while Elijah Chatman and Jerrick Reed II offer rotation-ready upsides on the edge and in the secondary. Jack Plummer provides quarterback depth, Ronnie Perkins adds edge presence, Monty Rice brings linebacker familiarity, and Hunter Renfrow adds veteran slot reliability. These moves could shape early-season fantasy depth charts and weekly streaming options.

Estime’s preseason flash could translate to immediate work in a run-heavy role; Perkins’ versatility can juice the edge rotation; Reed II offers nickel depth; Rice could stabilize linebacking depth; Renfrow could carve a steady slot role for Cam Ward. Plummer’s inclusion adds an insurance piece. For fantasy managers, these are bets on depth pieces who could splinter into usable weekly options if opportunity presents itself.

Carolina trimmed 18 players to reach the initial 53-man roster, with most cuts headed to waivers and a path to the Panthers’ practice squad if unclaimed. Carolina still needs 19 more spots by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline as it finalizes depth, while one vested veteran, Matthew Wright, was released. The list features Plummer, Perkins, Bailey, Lynch-Adams, Hudson, George, Luther, Dafney, Losoya, Kandra, Weaver, Windmon, Broughton, Dotson, Swilling, Henderson, Gifford, and Wright.

Carolina Panthers free-agent plan leans on the waiver wire and cut-downs to address depth gaps at safety, corner, and quarterback, prioritizing low-cost, high-upside fits over marquee names.

Lewis Cine, Mike Hilton, Tyler Huntley, Jack Plummer, Jamin Davis, Morgan Fox and Bryce Perkins headline the pool—with Cine offering safety depth, Hilton veteran CB presence, Huntley and Plummer QB competition, Davis LB depth, Fox rotational DL help, and Perkins as a lottery-ticket quarterback upside.

Evero’s emphasize rotation and versatility guides these additions: cost-conscious, scheme-fit players who can contribute in 2025 and beyond rather than long-term placeholders.

Derrick Harmon, Pittsburgh's first‑round pick, left the Steelers' final preseason clash with a right‑knee injury after contact with Carolina's Brandon Walton and was ruled out in the second quarter. The setback cuts into a rotation expected to lean on the rookie early in the season as he competes to replace Cameron Heyward on the defensive line.

The injury comes after Harmon flashed explosive potential in camp and logged a preseason sack against the Buccaneers, underscoring the dual threat he brings as a disruptor on both run and pass defense. Pittsburgh brass had praised his length, hands, and energy, framing him as a starter's floor with growth upside, making this setback a meaningful early hurdle for the unit.

Steelers executives and coaches stressed Harmon's strong camp and the plan to develop him within a depth chart that already features veterans and versatile linemen. The incident also offered a microcosm of the preseason—high expectations, a moment of setback, and the looming question of how the Steelers will navigate the opening weeks without their young cornerstone.

Carolina’s sequence featured Walton and Plummer, a reminder that the Panthers were testing both sides of the line as Harmon’s absence loomed. James Pierre intercepted Plummer in the end zone on a pressured throw, a moment that highlighted the competitive edge of the exhibition. The night illustrated the interplay of teams as Harmon's storyline took a tangible turn, shaping early season narratives for both clubs.