An offseason of coaching staff alterations has led to a notable reunion for the Carolina Panthers.
The team announced Wednesday that it has reached a deal to bring former assistant Steve Wilks back into the fold as defensive pass game coordinator/secondary coach. Wilks, 52, previously spent six years in Carolina in various roles (2012-17), notably becoming defensive coordinator after Sean McDermott left to become the Bills' head coach prior to the 2017 season.
Wilks subsequently moved on to roles as the Cardinals head coach in 2018 and Browns defensive coordinator under Freddie Kitchens in 2019. His time in Arizona concluded following a 3-13 finish, while his Cleveland tenure ended after team brass elected not to retain Kitchens and his staff following a 6-10 campaign.
An NFL assistant since 2006, Wilks makes his return to the league after a year-long stint as defensive coordinator for the Missouri Tigers in 2021, joining a revamped Panthers staff that hired Ben McAdoo and Chris Tabor as offensive and special teams coordinators, respectively, following the firings of Joe Brady and Chase Blackburn.
Injuries
- Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday that tight end C.J. Uzomah would not practice Wednesday, but Taylor was optimistic he would play in the Super Bowl. Uzomah was officially listed as a DNP; guard Jackson Carman (back) was listed as a limited participant.
- Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee and offensive lineman Joe Noteboom (pectoral) were listed as DNP for Wednesday's practice. Running back Cam Akers (shoulder) and receiver Van Jefferson (knee) were listed as limited while safety Taylor Rapp (concussion) and offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth were listed among the full participants. McVay said Monday that Higbee, who suffered an MCL sprain in the NFC Championship Game, would likely not practice and is considered day-to-day.
Roster moves
- The Carolina Panthers signed long snapper J.J. Jansen to a one-year deal. Jansen, 36, has appeared in 209 games in his 13 seasons with the Panthers, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2013 and an All-Pro selection in 2014.
Coaching staff/front office moves
- The Buffalo Bills promoted assistant special teams coach Matthew Smiley to special teams coordinator. A member of Buffalo's staff since 2017, Smiley steps into a position made vacant by the departure of Heath Farwell, who joined Jacksonville earlier in the day.
- The Chicago Bears announced Wednesday they have hired David Walker as their running backs coach.
- The Dallas Cowboys officially hired longtime NFL coaching veteran Robert Prince as their receivers coach.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars are hiring Heath Farwell as their special teams coordinator, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, per source. Farwell, a former Pro Bowler and special teams ace, held the same position the past three years with the Bills. The Jags are also hiring former Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter as their new passing game coordinator, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Cooter most recently served as the Jets' running back coach for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Dolphins defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander is interviewing Wednesday for the Jaguars' vacant DC position, Rapoport reported.
- The Minnesota Vikings hired former Browns executive Ryan Grigson in a senior personnel position. Grigson spent the past two seasons with Cleveland as the team’s senior football advisor, where he worked with new Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Longtime NFL assistant Ed Donatell has emerged as a strong candidate for the team’s vacant defensive coordinator job, per Pelissero. Donatell was most recently the Broncos’ DC for three seasons.
- The New Orleans Saints are adding former Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone to their offensive staff.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Wednesday they have hired Teryl Austin as their defensive coordinator. The news was initially reported by Rapoport on Sunday.