CHARLOTTE — The Panthers added some size and experience to the defensive line room, signing veteran defensive end Henry Anderson.
The 6-foot-6, 301-pound Anderson adds a solid run-stopper to the mix, and with Cleveland coming in Week 1, that's a benefit.
The Panthers have been looking to add some experience to the defensive line in general, and Anderson's versatility (he can play inside as well) adds another element to the group.
The Panthers went short at defensive end when they set their initial roster, with pass-rusher Marquis Haynes Sr. and rookie Amaré Barno the only backups to Brian Burns and Yetur Gross-Matos.
Originally a third-round pick of the Colts out of Stanford, the 31-year-old Anderson spent three years with the Jets and last year with the Patriots.
They also added two players to the practice squad Monday morning, signing safety Marquise Blair and wide receiver Preston Williams.
Blair was a 2019 second-round pick who was crowded out of a position when the Seahawks acquired veteran safeties Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams, and has some experience playing nickel. He also finished the last two seasons on injured reserve after knee injuries.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Williams adds another big body to the receiver room. He has dealt with some injuries, but in three seasons, he has 56 catches for 787 yards and seven touchdowns. Most of those stats came during his rookie year when he caught 32 passes for 428 yards and three scores in seven games before going on injured reserve with a torn ACL. He was the team's leading receiver at the time of his injury.
To make room for Anderson on the active roster, the Panthers waived defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon, who was one of six defensive tackles they kept on the initial 53-man roster.
They also released practice squad wide receiver Ra'Shaun Henry. They also released safety Kenny Robinson from the practice squad last week.
Henry Anderson has played with Indianapolis (2015-17), the New York Jets (2018-20) and New England (2021) before coming to Carolina.
New England Patriots defensive end Henry Anderson (94) on the sideline during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Ivory (33) breaks the tackle of Indianapolis Colts defensive end Henry Anderson (96) during the second half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
New England Patriots defensive end Henry Anderson (94) prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16), left, tosses the ball under pressure as New York Jets defensive end Henry Anderson (96) chases during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
New York Jets defensive end Henry Anderson (96) in action against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (95) celebrates with defensive end Henry Anderson (96) after a blocked punt during to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to pass under pressure from New York Jets defensive end Henry Anderson (96) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) and Kevin Zeitler (70) block New York Jets' Henry Anderson (96) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steven Ryan)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) is stopped by New York Jets defensive end Henry Anderson (96) and New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins (48) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets defensive end Henry Anderson (96) gestures, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) is sacked by New York Jets defensive end Henry Anderson (96) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, bottom, is sacked by New York Jets linebacker Neville Hewitt, top, as defensive end Henry Anderson, left, helps during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Jets defensive end Henry Anderson (96) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
New York Jets defensive end Henry Anderson (96) sets up for a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
New York Jets defensive end Henry Anderson (96) battles Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan (77) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
New York Jets' Henry Anderson (96) sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts defensive end Henry Anderson (96) and nose tackle Al Woods (99) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
New York Jets defensive end Henry Anderson (96) hits Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford's (9) arm as he throws during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
New England Patriots defensive end Henry Anderson during an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Henry Anderson (96) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
