The Carolina Panthers have made a significant move by signing veteran edge rusher Charles Harris following the season-ending injury to Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown. Brown, who suffered a meniscus injury in the Panthers’ Week 1 loss to the New Orleans Saints, leaves a major gap in the team’s defensive front. Head coach Dave Canales acknowledged the challenge of replacing Brown, emphasizing a “next man up” mentality and focusing on team football.
Charles Harris, 29, is expected to play a pivotal role in the Panthers’ efforts to strengthen their pass rush. After a strong 2021 season with the Detroit Lions, where he recorded a career-high 7.5 sacks, Harris has dealt with injuries, limiting his playtime over the last two seasons. However, the Panthers are hopeful that Harris, who has experience in a 3-4 defensive scheme under Todd Wash (now the Panthers’ defensive line coach), will regain his form.
The Panthers have been looking for ways to bolster their pass rush since the offseason. They traded away top edge rusher Brian Burns and lost Frankie Luvu to free agency, leaving them short on depth at the position. While they added Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum, Wonnum’s placement on injured reserve further strained the team’s options. Harris had already been on the Panthers’ radar, having worked out with the team in late August.
To accommodate Harris on the roster, the Panthers released quarterback Feliepe Franks. With Harris now onboard, the Panthers are aiming for him to provide a much-needed boost to their defense, which has struggled to generate pressure so far this season.
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