org Charles Harris, a player for the Detroit Lions, moved. On Wednesday, September 11, the Carolina Panthers announced the veteran pass rusher’s signing.
Harris, 29, has played for the Lions for three seasons and has 16.5 career sacks.
The signing “is not a total shock,” according to Brad Berreman of SideLion Report, because Harris “has a tie to Carolina’s defensive line coach, as Todd Wash had the same job with the Lions in 2021 and 2022.”
It appeared as though Harris’ NFL career may be finished because he lingered accessible for as long as he did (understandably so), with no known interest until recently, according to Berreman. “Perhaps he can wring more time out of a shot with the poorest team in the league this year, given his production on a prove-it deal with the Lions in 2021, which extended his career when it was on the ropes. It is certain that neither side has anything to lose.
In 2017, Harris was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round.
At linebacker, the Panthers are using “younger options.”
Walker Clement of SB Nation stated that Harris “is not going to be an overnight solution to the 47 points the Panthers gave up last week,” adding that Harris will offer “a veteran presence” following the Panthers’ loss of Derrick Brown, who may be out for the season, in their Week 1 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
The Panthers stated in their release that DJ Johnson and Eku Leota shared time last week at the position opposite Jadeveon Clowney, and that they are “working with a number of younger options at that position.”
Furthermore, the team declared that tight end Feleipe Franks, who was waived by the team on Monday, September 9, has rejoined the practice squad.
In 2021, Harris had his greatest season as a Lion, starting 14 games and recording 7.5 sacks, 36 hurries, 16 QB hits, and 2 forced fumbles. Over the previous two seasons, he made seven total starts.
USA Today and CBS Sports ranked the Carolina Panthers among the bottom teams in the NFL in 2024.
This season, the Panthers will require all the assistance Harris can provide. The squad is presently among the bottom teams in the 2024 NFL Power Rankings according to NFL analysts from Yahoo! Sports, CBS Sports, and USA Today.
“Adding injury to insult, Pro Bowl DE Derrick Brown – arguably Carolina’s most valuable player – might now miss the entire season with a knee injury,” writes writer Nate Davis for USA Today, which has the Panthers rated No. 31.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports claims, “Just when we thought it could not get any worse than last season, it was against the Saints.” The team is now rated No. 32. This team lacks quality, and Bryce Young is a problem.
The Panthers are ranked No. 32 by Yahoo! Sports’ Frank Schwab, who says, “Nothing about the Panthers looked good in Week 1.” The main issue, though, is Bryce Young. The issue with Young last season, he said, was that there were not enough “wow” moments involving the first overall draft pick. However, it was acceptable to give him a new beginning in his second season with an improved cast. And it appeared even worse in the opening game of his second season. That ought to be extremely frightening.
