The Carolina Panthers have elevated Daviyon Nixon, a former defensive tackle at Iowa.

Nixon was promoted to the Panthers’ 53-man roster on Tuesday.

Nixon, a 2021 fifth-round pick, had been on the Panthers’ practice squad and played during the Saints game this past Sunday. This move comes after the Panthers waived linebacker Arron Mosby.

Nixon was previously waived from the 53-man roster at initial cuts, getting placed on the practice squad.

Over the last two years, due to COVID-19, NFL squads were able to protect four practice squad players per week. This was put into action to help players develop and not be traded.  But, this year that is unavailable, which means Nixon could have been signed to another team.

But following the final cuts, Nixon was able to be added back to the practice squad and to the active roster.

Since Nixon had already been elevated once, he had to be signed to the active roster to protect him from not signing another team’s practice squad.