Just days after losing Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown to a season-ending meniscus injury in their Week 1 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Carolina Panthers signed veteran edge rusher Charles Harris on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Following Derrick Brown’s injury, Panthers head coach Dave Canales addressed the media, acknowledging the significant impact of Brown’s loss. He said the team will take a next man up approach to ensure they continue to perform at a high level in his absence.
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“Definitely a huge loss, right? He’s one of our best players. That’s big shoes to fill, but at the same time, we’ve got players in there, I want them to know and be encouraged,” Canales said. “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.”
Harris, 29, who will factor into the next man up approach the Panthers plan to go with, had a standout 2021 season with the Detroit Lions. However, he has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons, resulting in only seven starts and 19 games played.
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The Panthers are struggling to generate a pass rush and are hoping Harris can stay healthy and make a significant impact. In the offseason, the team traded away top edge rusher Brian Burns and lost Frankie Luvu to free agency. To address the gap, they signed edge rushers Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum, but Wonnum started the season on injured reserve, leaving the team with limited options.
The Panthers had been eyeing Harris before the season began. On Aug. 30, NFL Network reported that the team was looking for ways to improve their pass rush. Harris had worked out with the Panthers on Aug. 29 as part of their evaluation of potential reinforcements. To make room for Harris on the roster, the Panthers released Feliepe Franks on Sept. 9.
What Harris Brings to Carolina Panthers
In 2021, Harris set a career-high with 7.5 sacks while playing in Detroit’s 3-4 defense under Todd Wash, who is now Carolina’s defensive line coach. Harris, the 22nd pick of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, spent three years with them and one year with the Atlanta Falcons before joining the Lions.
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Although Harris won’t directly replace Brown, who plays on the interior of the defensive line, he will assume the role of a 3-4 outside linebacker, focusing on pressuring quarterbacks from the edge. Despite the difference in their positions, Harris brings the production and pass-rushing ability that the Panthers need.
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