CHARLOTTE - The Panthers have safety Dezmen Southward to a future contract, making him the final of the 10 players on Carolina's practice squad at the end of last season to do so.
The Panthers earlier signed the other nine to futures contracts, allowing Carolina to claim rights to them even though they won't join the roster until the new league year begins March 9. All told, the Panthers have signed 15 players to futures contracts.
Southward, a third-round draft choice of the Falcons in 2013, played in 19 games before being waived midway through the 2015 season, after which he spent time on the Colts' practice squad before being waived before the 2016 season opener.
