The Carolina Panthers claimed running back Royce Freeman on Thursday, a day after the fourth-year pro was waived by Denver.
In a corresponding move, the Panthers waived running back Trenton Cannon.
Freeman started eight games as a rookie after the Broncos selected him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Oregon. Freeman ran for 521 yards and five touchdowns in eight starts in 2018. Overall, Freeman, 25, rushed for 1,187 yards and eight touchdowns in 46 games (eight starts) in Denver.
Freeman would expect to be the third-string back in Carolina behind All-Pro Christian McCaffrey and rookie Chuba Hubbard.
Cannon rushed 10 times for 33 yards for the Panthers in 2020.