With injuries to a number of defensive positions, the Carolina Panthers brought in two veterans in defensive tackle Kyle Love and safety Michael Griffin.
The Panthers made some moves on Tuesday as they signed defensive tackle Kyle Love back to the squad and added veteran safety Michael Griffin.
To open up the necessary roster spots for the two additions, the team released safety Marcus Ball and place defensive end Ryan Delaire on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kyle Love (93) reacts in the fourth quarter. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 38-0 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Love rejoins the Panthers after being among the final cuts ahead of the 2016 season. With first round rookie Vernon Butler out for multiple weeks with a high ankle sprain, Kawann Short, Star Lotulelei and Paul Soliai were the only healthy defensive tackles available, and left a hole that needed to be filled.
Love’s experience in the system and with the team made the decision an easy one as he should slide right back into the role he played in 2015 as a rotational piece along the defensive line. During the Panthers Super Bowl run, Love had himself a solid year and accrued 19 total tackles and three sacks.
Carolina’s move to add Griffin was clearly done to improve the situation at the safety position with some proven, experience.
After the team placed second-year safety Dean Marlowe on IR, the team made the call to bring up Ball from the practice squad for their Week 3 matchup with Minnesota. With such little experience already inhabiting the secondary though, the team likely decided a veteran addition would prove to be more valuable.
Griffin, a final cut of the Vikings this offseason, played the first nine years of his career in Tennessee as one of the top safeties in the league. The former first round pick has made two Pro Bowls and was named second team All-Pro in 2010. Through nine seasons he’s amassed 763 tackles, 12 forced fumbles and 25 interceptions.
Both Love and Griffin should give Carolina two quality, experienced players to plug in and get immediate productivity from.
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