As announced by the team on Thursday afternoon, linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe has been signed to the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad.
Iyiegbuniwe was a fourth-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 2018 out of Western Kentucky University. In four years as a Hilltopper, he totaled 201 tackles (22.5 for a loss), 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Then, over the next four seasons of his career, Iyiegbuniwe appeared in 58 games for the Bears—collecting 29 tackles and a forced fumble between 2018 and 2021. He primarily served on special teams in Chicago under Carolina’s current special teams coordinator Chris Tabor.
The 27-year-old defender was one of six players the Panthers brought in for a look this past Monday. Carolina has since added four players from that tryout session—with running back Spencer Brown, defensive end Raequan Williams and linebacker Delontae Scott already signed to the practice squad on Tuesday.
To make room for Iyiegbuniwe, the team released defensive lineman Frank Herron.
