Panthers Promote Guard Torricelli Simpkins to the 53-Man Roster

Carolina made it official: guard Torricelli Simpkins is off the practice squad and onto the active 53-man roster. He'd signed with the Panthers ahead of the regular season, and the promotion rewards a lineman who logged real snaps last year — 15 games with two starts for the Saints in 2025.

To clear the spot, the Panthers waived linebacker Maema Njongmeta, who had just posted three tackles and a forced fumble in Sunday's loss to the Browns. That's the churn of a Week 4 roster: a guy makes a play one week and is gone the next.

The rest of the day was housekeeping. Linebacker Cam Gill and offensive lineman Isaia Glass joined the practice squad, while guard Chandler Zavala was cut loose from that roster to balance the books.

The Fantasy Fallout

Let's be blunt — an interior offensive lineman getting promoted doesn't move a single needle in your lineup. Guards don't score fantasy points, and Simpkins isn't stepping into a starting role that would meaningfully change Carolina's run-blocking outlook overnight. This is a depth move, full stop.

The only reason it registers on our radar at all is what it might signal about the Panthers' line health. If Simpkins works his way into a starting five and the interior firms up, that's a small tailwind for Carolina's backfield production. For now, it's speculation, not something you act on.

Bottom line: there's nothing to add or start here. File Simpkins away as a name to monitor if injuries force him into the lineup, but leave your waiver claims for players who actually touch the ball. No move required.