The Panthers depth along the interior of the defensive line got deeper with the signing of free agent defensive tackle Ed Johnson on Wednesday. Over three NFL seasons - all with the Indianapolis Colts - he started all 21 games played and posted 84 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble.
Johnson (6 feet 2 inches, 296 pounds) reunites with Panthers defensive coordinator Ron Meeks, who served as Indianapolis' defensive coordinator through 2008. Under Meeks, the run-stopper enjoyed his most productive season when he earned all-rookie honors in 2007. After signing with the Colts as an undrafted rookie free agent from Penn State, Johnson started all 16 games and recorded 63 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble.
The addition of Johnson, 26, gives the Panthers nine players on the roster at a position where they struggled with injuries last season. Other defensive tackles on the team include: Nick Hayden, Corvey Irvin, Maake Kemoeatu, Derek Landri, Louis Leonard, Damione Lewis, Hollis Thomas and Tank Tyler.
