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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Anthony Rizzuti

Panthers sign 3 of their own free agents

Firing general manager Scott Fitterer didn’t stop the Carolina Panthers from making some roster moves on Monday.

As announced this afternoon, the team has signed tight end Stephen Sullivan and defensive linemen Nick Thurman and LaBryan Ray to one-year extensions.

Sullivan, who was slated to be a restricted free agent this spring, recorded career-highs in offensive snaps (170) and special teams snaps (185) in 2023. He also notched bests in targets (24), receptions (12) and receiving yards (125).

Thurman and Ray, exclusive rights free agents, will also be returning off the heels of their most productive pro campaigns. Both appeared in each of the Panthers’ 17 games.

Ray registered his first career start in the Week 14 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He finished the year with 19 combined tackles, three of which came in yesterday’s finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Thurman, who played in 34.9 percent of the team’s defensive snaps, ranked eighth on the unit in stops (16).

With the trio inking back on, the Panthers now have two remaining restricted free agents (wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette and tight end Giovanni Ricci) and one remaining exclusive rights free agent (running back Raheem Blackshear).

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