Steelers to Host Former Panthers LB on Tryout

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers will host former Panthers inside linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. on a tryout at the team’s mandatory minicamp, he confirmed to Steelers Now. 

Carter came out of Maryland in 2018 and was drafted by the Panthers in the 5th round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent from 2018 to 2021 with the Panthers, but in 2022, he floated from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Cleveland Browns and then to the Houston Texans. Carter was with the Texans just three weeks ago before being let go by the team.

The Steelers have been looking for inside linebacker help and could find the veteran they are looking for in Carter. His ferocity and all-out style fit perfectly with the team and could be something that they look at and like. Over his career, he learned from guys like Luke Kuechly, Shaq Thompson, and others about the position and set his habits.

While getting little tread defensively, Carter has been a core special teamer with his teams for a large portion of his career. The Steelers always value that part of the game and lost a lot of those contributions in the inside linebacker room with the departures of Robert Spillane and Marcus Allen from the team.

Over his career, he has racked up 178 total tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, and played in over 78 games. Carter is hoping that he gets some good news in two days after the mandatory minicamp is concluded at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

My agent called me and told me about this opportunity,” Carter said. “All I can do is go out and there work hard. It feels great being back in a locker room. I’m hoping I can go out and prove myself. In two days, hopefully, I get some good news.”

The Steelers only currently have five inside linebackers on the roster with Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, Tanner Muse, Mark Robinson, and Chapelle Russell. It looks like the team wants to add to that count, but it will be up to Carter to prove he deserves that spot this week.