Panthers sign a veteran defensive lineman to add depth before Cleveland game Sunday
The Carolina Panthers announced Monday that they had added a veteran defensive end to their defensive line mix, signing veteran Henry Anderson.
Anderson, 31, has played in 78 games and started 43 in his NFL career while playing for Indianapolis, the New York Jets and, last year, the New England Patriots. His best year came in 2018 with the Jets, when he had seven of his career 11.5 sacks.
Although listed as a defensive end, Anderson can also play defensive tackle and will bring some versatility to the defensive line room. At 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, Anderson is an imposing presence but only played sparingly for the Patriots in 2021, due to a pectoral injury that placed him on injured reserve.
To make room for Anderson, who will wear No. 94, the Panthers waived defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon.
Panthers coach Matt Rhule said Anderson would be used to spell defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos and also as a run-stopper. During the Panthers-Patriots joint practices, Carolina saw Anderson play. When he didn’t make New England’s 53-man roster, the Panthers decided to scoop him up.
Said Brian Burns, the Panthers’ Pro Bowl defensive end, of Anderson: “I think he brings a lot of versatility. He can play inside and out. He’s a big guy with a good reputation for stopping the run, so he can really help us out in that area.”
This story was originally published September 5, 2022 at 12:41 PM with the headline "Panthers sign a veteran defensive lineman to add depth before Cleveland game Sunday."
