Jackson Kuwatch carries 14-tackle preseason into Week 1

The No. 227 pick survived Carolina's roster cut.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 31 min read

Rookie Diaries, 2026: Jackson Kuwatch https://t.co/lvpNmhVnZV Via @Panthers on X

What happened: The seventh-round linebacker said he stayed close to his phone on cutdown day after entering the draft as a fringe prospect. He described the jump from college as faster and credited veteran guidance with sharpening his hand use against blockers.

Why it matters: His roster place gives Carolina a developmental linebacker and special-teams option for the 2026 season. The selection capped a seven-player draft class.

By the numbers: Kuwatch totaled 14 tackles—six solo and eight assisted—across four 2026 preseason games.

What to watch: His role on defense and special teams in the Sept. 13 opener will show where he fits in the rotation.

Sources

@Panthers 2026-09-03T22:25:10.806881+00:00

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