Panthers HC explains his excitement behind the latest roster additions

When the Carolina Panthers signed Deven Thompkins, head coach Dave Canales was excited, he said.

Thompkins is a familiar face. Canales coached him during the 2023 season when the 43-year-old coach was the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

What Canales appears to like most about Thompkins' game is his versatility on the roster. It turns out he can do a little of everything.

“I’m excited to get him in here,” Canales said . “He’s another kick returner as well. He’s got some explosive elements to his play. So, [it is] really fun. [He] Brings a different style of guy. We got a really big, strong group. But it’s also good to have those change-of-pace guys that can attack the defense a different way.”

Thompkins is a smaller wide receiver . He stands 5-foot-8, 155 pounds. In 22 games in Tampa Bay, he caught 22 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown for the Bucs in 22 games the last two seasons.

Canales explained that Thompkins is a good returner and a good "energy guy," which is what the Panthers' special teams and offense need.

He does come to the Panthers with some concerns. He was accused of domestic violence by his estranged wife Maria Castillos back in May.

He was waived by the Buccaneers later in the month.

“We had to be patient,” Canales said. “We had to wait for the league to process it before they can give us a green light on it.”

Joseph Person , a Panthers beat writer for The Athletic , reported Saturday that the team did an investigation into the allegations alongside the NFL. It did not find substantial evidence to act under the league's policy.

As the Panthers look to build the wide receiver position , Canales is looking to bring in familiar faces from his playoff-caliber offense from a season ago.