CHARLOTTE – The Panthers welcomed back kicker Rhys Lloyd on Tuesday, signing him to handle kickoff duties. To make room on the roster, Carolina waived/injured kicker Todd Carter.
Lloyd handled kickoffs for the Panthers in 2008 and '09. The Minnesota Vikings signed him as a free agent in the offseason but waived him during the final round of roster cuts.
Carolina originally picked Lloyd up late in the 2007 season after the Baltimore Ravens waived him. In 2008, he had an NFL-best 30 touchbacks, the most since the league introduced the K-ball in 1999. Last season, he placed 41-of-72 kickoffs in the end zone, with 21 touchbacks.
Carter struggled with back spasms prior to the season opener Sunday at the New York Giants and couldn't continue after his first kickoff reached the 10-yard line. In Carter's absence, John Kasay took over kickoff duties, sending his four kicks to the 13-yard line on average.
