On the morning of the team’s three-day mandatory minicamp, former Utah safety Brian Blechen was waived by the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday, according to team writer Max Henson.
Blechen originally signed with Carolina as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2015. He’s spent time on the Panthers' practice squad the two past two years, as well as a week on the New Orleans Saints' practice squad near the end of last season.
So far in his career, Blechen’s action on the field has been during preseason games. In 2016, he played in all four preseason games for Carolina, starting the final one against Pittsburgh, during which he had eight tackles.
In a corresponding move, the Panthers signed wide receiver Cameron Posey.
With Blechen’s release, there are now 94 players with Utah ties currently dotting NFL rosters. That includes 40 from the University of Utah, 20 from Utah State and 19 from BYU.
Here’s a look at other transactions involving local ties over the past two weeks:
June 12: Cornerback Reggie Porter (Utah) waived by Indianapolis
June 9: Offensive guard Jake Simonich (Utah State) waived by Houston
June 8: Wide receiver Mitch Mathews (BYU) signed with Miami, nine days after being released by Minnesota
June 7: Tight end Dennis Pitta (BYU) released with injury waiver by Baltimore
June 6: Cornerback Daniel Gray (Utah State) signed with Arizona
June 5: Wide receiver Dres Anderson (Utah) signed with Houston
June 1: Cornerback Will Davis (Utah State) signed with San Francisco
June 1: Wide receiver Colby Pearson (BYU) signed with Green Bay
May 31: Wyatt Houston (Utah State) signed with Carolina
May 30: Mathews waived by Minnesota
May 30: Running back Matt Asiata (Utah, Snow College and Hunter High) signed with Detroit