Former Buccaneers Return Man Reaches Injury Settlement With Panthers

Deven Thompkins is once again looking for a new team in free agency.

River Wells | Aug 17, 2024

Jul 30, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Deven Thompkins (12) makes a catch during training camp at Carolina Panthers Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released Devin Thompkins during OTAs this offseason. And after finding a place, he's now a free agent once again.

Thompkins was picked up by the Carolina Panthers in July after being waived by the Buccaneers in May with an injury designation for his hamstring. He then reunited with former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales, now the head coach for the Panthers, in July. And now, he's been waived by Carolina for the exact same reason — an injury designation for his hamstring, per FOX Sports' Greg Auman:

Panthers have reached an injury settlement with receiver Deven Thompkins, who was waived-injured with a hamstring injury. Now can sign with other teams, or later go back to Carolina.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 17, 2024

Thompkins was waived by the Buccaneers amid domestic violence allegations by his estranged wife, Maria Castillos. The NFL conducted an internal investigation on the matter and ended the investigation in July, with NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy saying that the league "did not discover sufficient evidence" in regard to the allegations.

As Auman noted in the tweet above, Thompkins can freely sign with another team or perhaps land back in Carolina with the Panthers after the roster is cut down. It is very unlikely that he'll return to Tampa Bay, as his value as a return man seems stifled with the new kickoff rules heavily favoring running backs — RBs Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker are currently set to serve as Tampa Bay's return men.

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Published Aug 17, 2024

RIVER WELLS

River Wells is a sports journalist from St. Petersburg, Florida, who has covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 2023. He graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Florida in 2021. You can follow him on Twitter @riverhwells.