The Panthers claimed Evans off waivers Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
The third-year corner from Missouri was waived by the Vikings on Saturday after playing almost strictly on special teams (just three defensive snaps in seven games) this season, but he's already found a new home in Carolina. Evans played 832 defensive snaps across 15 regular-season games with the Vikings in 2023, recording 65 total tackles and seven passes defended, including one interception. He's now expected to serve as a depth piece in the Panthers' secondary.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Inactive Sunday night
Rotowire
Evans (hip) is inactive for Sunday Night Football against the Colts.
The depth cornerback missed the Vikings' last two games with the hip issue but participated fully in practice Wednesday. Fabian Moreau and Josh Metellus are now Minnesota's only available backup corners for Sunday night's game.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Won't play vs. Rams
Rotowire
Evans (hip) is inactive for Thursday night's game against the Rams.
Evans was unable to play against the Lions in Week 7, and he'll be sidelined for a second straight game due to a hip injury. His next chance at playing will be Week 9 against the Colts on Nov. 3. Evans has played mostly on special teams this year and has accrued two tackles (one solo) across five regular-season contests.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Iffy for Thursday
Rotowire
Evans (hip) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Rams.
Evans has been limited in practice this week after missing the Vikings' Week 7 loss to the Lions. The third-year pro has been pretty much limited to special teams work so far this season, so his potential absence in Week 8 wouldn't impact Minnesota's defense in any way unless further injuries occur.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Limited in practice Tuesday
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Evans (hip) was listed as a limited practice participant on the Vikings' injury report Tuesday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Evans was unable to play against the Lions on Sunday due to a hip injury. The 2022 fourth-round pick will have one more chance Wednesday to avoid an injury designation heading into Thursday night's game against the Rams. Evans has primarily served on special teams this year and has accrued two tackles (one solo) across five regular-season games.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Out for Week 7
Rotowire
Evans (hip) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Lions.
A fourth-round pick in 2022, Evans has played just three defensive snaps across five appearances this season. He's mostly been limited to special-teams work for Minnesota.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Limited to special teams
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Evans was limited to 15 snaps on special teams in Sunday's win over Houston. He did not play a snap on defense.
After starting 15 games and playing 832 snaps on defense last season, Evans has been relegated to a special teams role. He's played just three snaps on defense this season.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Up-and-down sophomore season
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Evans logged 65 total tackles, seven passes defended and three forced fumbles in 15 games during the 2023 regular season.
The 2022 fourth-round pick out of Missouri saw a major uptick in work from his rookie year, starting all 15 of the games he appeared in for Minnesota and playing almost 700 more snaps than in 2022. Evans definitely struggled at times, even getting benched during a Week 16 loss to the Lions, but the 24-year-old was still productive. It's uncertain what role Evans will play on the Vikings' defense next season, as the team is likely to make bolstering its secondary a top offseason priority.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Gets first interception of career
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Evans recorded four tackles (three solo) and an interception in Saturday's 27-24 overtime loss at Cincinnati.
Evans came up with the first pick of his young career in the middle of the third quarter in Week 15 on a badly underthrown ball by Jake Browning intended for Irv Smith. However, Evans has been far from reliable in coverage this season, and Minnesota's defense has a tough test on tap in Week 16 versus the Lions.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Returns to practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Evans (calf) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice session.
Evans sustained a calf injury in Week 10 against the Saints. He missed the next two games but looks to be on track to play Sunday against the Raiders, thanks to the Vikings' Week 13 bye week. Through 10 games, Evans has recorded 49 tackles (36 solo), five pass deflections and three forced fumbles.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Won't play on Monday Night Football
Rotowire
Evans (calf) is inactive for Monday's Week 12 clash with Chicago.
Evans will miss his second straight game due to a calf injury he suffered in a Week 10 win over New Orleans. The second-year cornerback followed a pair of limited practice sessions to begin the week with a full session Saturday, so he appears to be closing in on a return. With the Vikings on bye next week, it's likely that Evans will be able to play in their next game, which will take place in Las Vegas on Dec. 10.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Limited practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Evans (neck) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Evans was able to overcome an oblique injury to play in Sunday's game against the Patriots and finished the game with four solo tackles while playing all but one defensive snap. Evans had also dealt with a knee injury that limited him in practices earlier in the season. Barring any setback, he should be good to go for Week 9 against the Falcons.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Good to go
Rotowire
Evans (oblique) has been cleared to play in Monday's game against the Vikings.
After a week of limited practice sessions, Evans' health is close enough to par for him to suit up. Barring any setbacks, he should take on his usual role at cornerback opposite Byron Murphy.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Five tackles in season opener
Rotowire
Evans started at cornerback opposite Byron Murphy and had five total tackles and two passes defensed in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay.
Evans played on 62 of the defense's 68 snaps. He fared well in coverage by allowing just two receptions on six targets for 12 yards, according to Pro Football Focus.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Back for OTAs
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Evans (concussion) was able to participate in the Vikings' recent OTAs, Matthew Coller of Sports Illustrated reports.
The 2022 fourth-round pick suffered a concussion during a Week 13 win against the Jets, landing him on injured reserve for the rest of his rookie campaign. He's since had the offseason to move past the issue and has been taking first-team reps at cornerback alongside Byron Murphy and Andrew Booth. Expect the Missouri product to continue competing for a starting position on the Vikings defense ahead of his second NFL season.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Won't play against Detroit
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Evans has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Lions due to a concussion, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Evans exited Sunday's win over the Jets and has been diagnosed with a concussion. He'll be forced to miss at least one game, and he'll need to clear several steps as part of the league's concussion protocol before he's able to return to practice. Duke Shelley and Kris Boyd are candidates to see increased roles in Minnesota's secondary while Evans is sidelined.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Forced out Sunday
Rotowire
Evans was ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Bills with a concussion.
Evans logged six tackles before sustaining a concussion at some point during Sunday's contest. The 23-year-old was expected to take on a starting role against Buffalo, as starting cornerback Cameron Dantzler (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Saturday. With Evans out, second-round rookie Andrew Booth has stepped in to make his defensive debut for Minnesota, according to Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
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Vikings' Akayleb Evans: Limited Wednesday
Rotowire
Evans (concussion) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Evans is working his way through the concussion protocol, and it looks like he could have a chance of gaining clearance in time to suit up Week 6 at Miami. The rookie cornerback has mostly contributed on special teams this season.
