The NFC’s last remaining undefeated team will get more reinforcements this week, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, who tweets that the Panthers are activating defensive end Charles Johnson from IR-DTR on Tuesday.
Johnson, 29, has been the Panthers’ most reliable pass rusher over the last several years, recording at least 8.5 sacks in every season from 2010 to 2014. However, his 2015 campaign was derailed by a hamstring injury, which landed him on the injured reserve list with the designation to return for the last eight weeks. Johnson’s injury prompted Carolina to go out and acquire Jared Allen to help fill the void at defensive end.
While the Panthers will get a boost to their pass rush with Johnson returning, the team’s offensive line took a hit on Sunday, with Amini Silatolu tearing the ACL in his left knee, according to Person (Twitter links). Silatolu will head to IR this week, and could be the corresponding roster move when Johnson is activated, though the team may also add another offensive lineman and remove a defender from the 53-man unit to balance things out.
The Panthers figure to officially announce their roster moves on Tuesday, with a Thanksgiving tilt against the rejuvenated Cowboys right around the corner.
For as well as the Panthers’ defense is playing, they don’t have a top-tier presence at end as they do at linebacker, corner and defensive tackle this season. Johnson’s overpaid, but he’ll be a nice luxury piece for one of the league’s most unlikely powerhouses in recent years.