The Carolina Panthers just had to place yet another key defender on injured reserve, as outside linebacker Justin Houston was shelved this afternoon due to a hamstring issue. So now, they’ve signed a player to take his place.
Filling the 53rd spot on the active roster will be safety Matthias Farley, who was inked from the practice squad following the Houston news. The 31-year-old veteran and Charlotte, N.C. native will now, of course, be eligible to play in the team’s Week 9 contest against the Indianapolis Colts.
Farley has appeared in three games for Carolina this season, having notched 31 snaps on special teams on 63 on defense. All 63 of those defensive looks came in the Week 6 loss to the Miami Dolphins, where Farley recorded the unit’s second-lowest overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
Joining him on the come-up will be rookie outside linebacker Eku Leota, who has been elevated for the second straight Sunday. Leota made his NFL debut in last week’s win over the Houston Texans, seeing six snaps on defense and eight on special teams.
