The Carolina Panthers added top linebacker from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad. Windmon joins a struggling Panthers team with a 1-5 record and a league-worst -100 point differential. Since he was signed from the Steelers’ practice squad, he is required to stay on the active roster for at least three weeks.
Jacoby Windmon’s departure leaves an opening on the Steelers’ practice squad, which could potentially be filled by outside linebacker Ade Ogundeji, who was released by the team on Monday.
Windmon had been with the Steelers during training camp and preseason but was waived during the final roster cuts. He rejoined the practice squad on October 2. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL Draft, he played 89 defensive snaps and 45 special teams snaps over three preseason games, primarily as an inside linebacker but also saw some time at outside linebacker.
A Marrero, Louisiana native, Windmon played three years at UNLV before transferring to Michigan State. He earned second-team All-Mountain West honors in 2021, posting a standout season with 119 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass defended.
After transferring to Michigan State, Windmon started eight games in 2022 but was suspended for the final four games due to involvement in a post-game altercation between Michigan and Michigan State players. He returned in 2023 but was sidelined after just three games with a pectoral injury. Initially planning to transfer, he ultimately declared for the 2024 NFL Draft in January.
During the pre-draft evaluation, Windmon ran a 4.65-second 40-yard dash, demonstrating decent agility but lacking explosiveness and strength, with only 16 bench press reps and a 5.68 out of 10 on his Relative Athletic Score. He was not anticipated to be drafted, ranking as the No. 501 prospect in the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board.
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