Veteran NFL offensive lineman Justin McCray has signed a contract with the Carolina Panthers. In 2022, McCray suited up for the Houston Texans. He has previously played for the Green Bay Packers, the Cleveland Browns, and the Atlanta Falcons.
#Texans free agent offensive lineman Justin McCray reunites with #Panthers James Campen, his former position coach. He's signing a one-year deal that included a signing bonus, per league source. #Texans offered McCray chance to re-sign, and he opted to join the #Panthers
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 17, 2023
Justin McCray, Carolina Panthers, Agree to Contract
In 2022, McCray played in 12 games for the Texans, starting in two of them. These starts included the regular-season opener against the Colts, as well as a Week 8 tilt against the Titans. However, McCray dealt with various injuries throughout the season, including a concussion and a hamstring injury.
McCray initially entered the NFL with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent out of UCF following the 2014 NFL Draft. He then spent his entire rookie season on the team’s practice squad before signing a futures contract at the end of 2014. However, McCray was was waived by the team during next year’s training camp.
McCray then joined the Arena Football League, where he played on the Orlando Predators with his brother Jordan. Following his stint in the Arena Football League, McCray signed with the Packers in March 2017.
After making the team’s 53-man roster, McCray made his first career start at right tackle in Week 2 against the Falcons. McCray went on to play in 13 games in 2017, registering eight starts at various positions along the offensive line.
The following season, McCray played in 12 games, starting in five of them. This included starts in each of the first three games of the 2018 season.
On August 31st, 2019, the first year of the Matt LaFleur regime for the Packers, McCray was traded to the Browns. That season, his lone one with the Browns, McCray played in 15 games, registering four starts.
In March 2020, McCray signed a one-year contract with the Falcons. McCray went on to start in two games for the team. In March 2021, McCray signed a two-year contract with the Texans.
In 2021, McCray played in 14 games for the team, tying his career-high for number of starts in a single season with eight.
Main Photo: Troy Taormina – USA Today Sports
