Carolina Panthers release a veteran pass rusher after his stint on injured reserve
A veteran pass rusher is moving on from Carolina.
Justin Houston, the four-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker who signed with the Carolina Panthers in August, has been released by the Panthers, the team announced Tuesday.
The Panthers granted Houston’s request to be released.
The 34-year-old pass rusher was brought onto the Panthers defense to much anticipation during training camp, fresh off a 9.5-sack season with the Baltimore Ravens. He said he came to Carolina because of his previous working relationship with since-fired head coach Frank Reich in Indianapolis, and he was expected to be a “rotational guy” to balance out the talents on the newly implemented 3-4 defense.
His impact in Carolina was reduced by injury after he landed on the IR with a hamstring issue in November, soon after the team’s Week 8 win over the Houston Texans. But he was still known to be a strong locker room presence even when he wasn’t on the field. That presence included mentoring Burns, who has sought his advice at several points during this season, including during the most tense part of Burns’ still-lingering contract negotiations.
Houston had 111.5 sacks in 12 seasons before suiting up for the Panthers. In seven games played in 2023, he notched nine tackles and 0.5 sacks.
This story was originally published December 19, 2023 at 1:59 PM.
