Harrison Butker now on Panthers practice squad

Former Georgia Tech kicker Harrison Butker (7) made a 51-yard field goal in his first game for the Carolina Panthers.

Credit: Chuck Burton

Credit: Chuck Burton

Former Georgia Tech kicker Harrison Butker (7) made a 51-yard field goal in his first game for the Carolina Panthers.

Harrison Butker, Georgia Tech’s all-time leading scorer, has re-joined the Carolina Panthers as a member of their practice squad. Butker, whom the team drafted in the seventh round, was cut Wednesday and was available to join the practice squad after clearing waivers.

Butker made the announcement Thursday from his Twitter account.

Proud to announce I'm signing with the Panthers' practice squad. Looking forward to being back with my teammates! #KeepPounding

👊🏼— Harrison Butker (@buttkicker87)

Butker was in a preseason battle for the kicking job with Graham Gano, and the team made the unusual move to keep both players on the 53-man roster going into the season, evidently hoping to find a trading partner for one. When none appeared, and the Panthers added a player off waivers, they made room by letting go of Butker.

As a member of the practice squad, Butker is free to be signed by any team to its active 53-man roster.

Butker is one of two Tech NFL rookies on a practice squad this season. Justin Thomas, with Pittsburgh, is the other. Defensive lineman Patrick Gamble was signed to the New York Jets practice squad, but has been since released.