Former Pitt Panthers Signed to NFL Practice Squads

Every NFL team needed to cut its roster to 53 men by 4 p.m. Tuesday, and it led to hundreds and hundreds of players having their football journeys forever altered. That includes former Pitt Panthers.

All three of the former Panthers selected in the 2024 NFL Draft survived the cuts and made their respective 53-man rosters (although M.J. Devonshire didn’t survive the week), but not all former Panthers were so lucky. It’s been a difficult week for some, but others have found their footing with an NFL squad. And more might still.

A couple of former Panthers have signed on to NFL practice squads.

Deslin Alexandre (5) – September 25, 2021 David Hague/PSN

Deslin Alexandre — Green Bay Packers

Alexandre is one of 12 players who have been added to the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad, according to NFL Trade Rumors.

Alexandre went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft but spent time with the New York Jets during camp. He signed a futures/reserves contract with the Packers in January, spent the summer with the Packers and is now on the practice squad.

In five seasons at Pitt, Alexandre has compiled 131 tackles (59 solo), 29.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, an interception, seven pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.

As a super-senior captain in 2022, he racked up 29 tackles (13 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two pass breakups and forced a safety in a win over Duke.

Former Pitt center Jimmy Morrissey

Jimmy Morrissey — Giants

Morrissey is signing with the New York Giants’ practice squad after being released from the active roster earlier this week, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.

Morrissey was originally a seventh round selection by the Las Vas Raiders in the 2021 NFL Draft and spent time on the Raiders’ practice squad. The Houston Texans signed him off the Raiders’ PS in 2021, and after making a start at center in the 2021 season, he bounced around the Texans’ organization for a couple of seasons.

The Giants signed Morrissey to a futures/reserve contract in January, and he spent the offseason competing for a backup spot on the offensive line.

Morrissey was a three-time All-ACC selection and the winner of the 2020 Burlsworth Trophy, which is presented to the most outstanding player who started his career as a walk-on.

He made 47 starts in his Pitt career, including all 11 games during his senior season in 2020. He was a two-time captain at Pitt, too.