CHARLOTTE – The Panthers have waived defensive back Rashaan Gaulden, the team's third-round draft choice in 2018.
He played in 24 games with 13 total tackles on defense and seven on special teams, according to coaches' stats. This season, Gaulden has posted one tackle on defense and three stops on special teams.
Gaulden came out of Tennessee with intriguing versatility as a physical safety and big nickel prospect. But he struggled to earn a place in the defense and was primarily a special teams contributor.
Gaulden's final game with the Panthers against New Orleans saw him involved in two mix-ups. He collided with punt returner DJ Moore and the ball bounced off Gaulden's leg leading to a Saints fumble recovery. He later was at the center of offsetting unnecessary roughness penalties when pushing and shoving escalated things following a kick return.
