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The Carolina Panthers' revolving door at defensive tackle spun once more Tuesday, as the team signed Antwon Burton and put Louis Leonard on injured reserve.
Burton (6-foot-2, 320) is a run-stuffing specialist in the Maake Kemoeatu mold, but not as highly regarded. Burton, 26, has spent time with four different teams as a reserve and was most recently with the St. Louis Rams before getting released.
Marty Magid, who is Burton's agent, said Burton agreed to a two-year, non-guaranteed contract worth about $1.15 million. There was no signing bonus. It's possible Burton could be for Monday night's game in Dallas.
An undrafted free agent out of Temple, Burton's most successful stint in the NFL came when he played in a career-high six games for Denver in 2007. He has also spent time in Kansas City, Cincinnati and St. Louis. With the Rams, he was coached by Brian Baker, who is now the Panthers' defensive line coach.
Losing Leonard was another blow to the Panthers' thinnest position. "He was a diamond in the rough for us," linebacker Jon Beason said of Leonard. "He was really starting to come around."
But, on the final defensive snap Sunday against Atlanta, Leonard broke his ankle.
Briefly
•The Panthers waived safety Nate Salley from the injured reserve list and also released rookie defensive tackle George Hypolite from the practice squad.
