CHARLOTTE - Antwan Applewhite, a 6-3, 258-pounder who primarily played linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, will play defensive end for the Panthers after the free agent signed with the team.
To make room on the roster, Carolina waived defensive end George Selvie.
In 2010, Applewhite played in all 16 games with 13 starts at outside linebacker in the Chargers' 3-4 defense, collecting 57 tackles and three sacks. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers during training camp but was waived Sept. 6.
Undrafted out of San Diego State in 2007, Applewhite spent part of his rookie season on the Chargers' practice squad. He played in 14 games in 2008 and recorded 19 tackles and 0.5 sacks, but he played just one game in 2009 before being placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
He did line up at defensive end all four seasons in college and played some defensive end with the Chargers in nickel situations.
Panthers head coach Ron Rivera coached Applewhite throughout his time with the Chargers.
"I'm real excited," Applewhite said. "Being back with Coach Rivera is big for me. He's one of the big reasons I played a lot in San Diego, so it's nice to come here and get a chance."
The transaction came one day after the Panthers claimed safety Jermale Hines off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts and released safety Sean Considine.
Hines was selected in the fifth round (158th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft from Ohio State by the St. Louis Rams. He was inactive for the first three games before being waived. Hines then spent five days on the Colts' roster but was waived prior to their game Monday night.
At Ohio State, Hines played in 44 games with 29 starts and recorded 157 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three interceptions, eight passes defensed and three fumble recoveries. A first-team All-Big 10 Conference choice as a senior in 2010, he earned the team's most outstanding defensive back award and helped the Buckeyes lead the Big 10 in total defense, pass defense and scoring defense.
Considine played in each of the Panthers' first four games. He appeared primarily on special teams and recovered a fumble on a kickoff return versus Green Bay. Initially signed as an unrestricted free agent by Carolina during training camp, Considine was released prior to the start of the regular season but was re-signed two days later on Sept. 7.
Additionally, the Panthers have signed linebacker Kion Wilson to the practice squad and have terminated cornerback Kendric Burney from the unit. Wilson played in three games and logged five special teams tackles for the San Diego Chargers in 2010 as an undrafted rookie from South Florida. He was waived by the Chargers in the final roster cutdown on Sept. 3.
