CHARLOTTE - The Panthers' shuffle at cornerback continued on Monday as the team signed veteran free agent Chris Houston and waived Jocquel Skinner.
Houston (5-10, 180 pounds) has played in 99 games with 91 starts in seven NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions. His career totals include 369 tackles, 13 interceptions with three returned for touchdowns, 78 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Houston did not play in 2014 after undergoing toe surgery last May and being released by the Lions in June.
A second-round draft choice from Arkansas by the Falcons in 2007, Houston emerged as a starter in his first season and led the team's rookies with 55 tackles. He then started all 16 games in 2008 and posted a career-high 60 tackles.
Acquired by Detroit in a trade with Atlanta during the 2010 offseason, Houston often matched up against the opponent's best receiver. He recorded 10 of his 13 career interceptions during his four seasons with the Lions, including a career-high and team-leading five in 2011.
Houston becomes the third defensive back to join Carolina in the last month following safety Marcus Ball and Skinner, who had been signed as a free agent on June 2.
