CHARLOTTE – The Panthers have signed offensive tackle Willie Smith to a one-year contract. To make room on the roster, Carolina waived/injured rookie fullback Devon Johnson with a back injury.
Smith has played 29 games with 11 starts in his career. The Kenly, N.C., native and former East Carolina Pirate signed with the Washington Redskins as a college free agent in 2011, starting three games at left tackle as a rookie.
In 2012, he started a career-high seven games at right tackle for the Oakland Raiders. Smith joined the Chargers in 2013 and played in 15 games for San Diego the following year.
The Redskins brought him back in 2015, but he was released prior to the start of the regular season.
