CHARLOTTE – It was unlikely the Panthers would go too far into the spring with just two quarterbacks.
On Monday, the day players returned for the start of offseason workouts, Carolina added an arm to a group that had previously included only Cam Newton and Garrett Gilbert.
The Panthers picked up Taylor Heinicke off waivers from the Texans, who released the quarterback Friday.
Old Dominion's all-time leading passer, Heinicke landed in Minnesota as an undrafted rookie in 2015. He spent two seasons with the Vikings and was waived/injured before the start of the 2017 regular season.
After a short stint on the Patriots' practice squad, Heinicke wound up in Houston. He made his regular season debut in Week 16 but suffered a concussion on his ninth snap.
Also on Monday, the Panthers' three remaining exclusive rights free agents – wide receiver Damiere Byrd, punter Michael Palardy and center Tyler Larsen – signed their one-year tenders. A fourth exclusive rights free agent, tight end Chris Manhertz, signed his tender last month.
View photos of offense and defense as they start 2018 the strength and conditioning program.
