The Carolina Panthers placed Pro Bowl defensive tackle Derrick Brown on injured reserve with a season-ending knee injury suffered in Sunday’s loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Brown, 26, has started 64 of his 67 games since Carolina drafted him with the seventh overall pick in 2020 out of Auburn. He signed a four-year, $96 million contract this offseason, and played in 60 of the 66 defensive snaps in Sunday’s 47-10 loss.
“Definitely a huge loss, right? He’s one of our best players. That’s big shoes to fill,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “But at the same time, we’ve got players in there, I want them to know and be encouraged. If you go in, you play with great technique, and you just do your job, we don’t need you to make the special plays that Derrick makes.
“Just do your job, help the guys on either side of you and that’s the truth of it. If you can play team football with a bunch of guys, you can have success.”
The team is planning to sign veteran defensive end Charles Harris, according to multiple reports. Harris, 29, recorded 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 13 games (three starts) last season with the Detroit Lions.
He totaled 171 tackles, 16.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 90 career games (30 starts) with the Miami Dolphins (2017-19), Atlanta Falcons (2020) and Lions (2021-23). He was selected by the Dolphins 22nd overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.
The Panthers made several other roster moves Tuesday. Along with waiving outside linebacker Jamie Sheriff, Carolina signed veteran special teams players Mike Boone and Lonnie Johnson. Both began the season on the practice squad but were elevated to play last week.
Meanwhile, defensive end DeShawn Williams and cornerback Azizi Hearn to the practice squad. Williams started 10 of 16 games he appeared in for the Panthers last season, while Hearn spent 2023 on New England’s practice squad after being in training camp with Las Vegas.
