The Carolina Panthers’ decision to add some more help on its defensive line wasn’t the big surprise on Monday. It was what came as a result of the move that really raised some eyebrows.
In signing defensive end Henry Anderson early this afternoon, the team cut ties with Daviyon Nixon. Not only was the third-year defensive tackle a promising talent, possessing the athleticism to play both inside and out, but he was also a pretty recent investment—a fifth-round pick from last year’s draft.
So why was Nixon the casualty? Head coach Matt Rhule explained a bit of the team’s reasoning a few hours after the cut went down.
“These things are tough,” he said. “You have to make tough decisions. Daviyon’s, obviously, a person we drafted. Had a tough injury last year, coming into this year. But we couldn’t go into the year with that many d-linemen. We’ve been happy with [Marquan] McCall and [Phil] Hoskins. So that was the decision we had to make.”
McCall, an undrafted rookie, was one of the team’s top standouts from summer action. And Hoskins, who was selected two rounds after Nixon, has also stuck on as a staff favorite.
Additionally, FOX Charlotte’s Will Kunkel had a beat on the move. He’d later report that the Panthers didn’t exactly see Nixon as a pro-level player.
A lot of fans were surprised the Panthers cut Davyion Nixon today.
I am told the team thought he just didn't have the skill to play at the NFL level.— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) September 5, 2022
Nixon appeared in seven games last season. He registered nine tackles, two quarterback hits and half a sack.
