Panthers' Kyle Love to start at defensive tackle in Week 1
Carolina Panthers' defensive tackle Kyle Love will start in place of Star Lotulelei in Week 1.
Head coach Ron Rivera made it all but certain that Lotulelei would sit for the team's first tilt of the year, so that opens the door for 28-year old journeyman Love to appear in his first regular season game since 2013. This will be a massive downgrade for this defensive unit, as Love has just 69 tackles and 5.5 sacks since 2010, and hasn't played in more than two games in a season since 2012.
The Carolina Panthers ranked third in scheduled-adjusted Defensive Net Expected Points in 2013, and Lotulelei's diminished presence -- and occasional absence -- in 2014 lowered that rank to tenth in the league. If Lotulelei's disruptive ability is out of their rotation for an extended period of time, the Panthers' once-formidable pass rush may be watered down heavily.
- Steelers sign Cordarrelle Patterson to 2-year deal March 26th, 2024
- D'Onta Foreman signing with Cleveland March 20th, 2024
- Jets sign Mike Williams to 1-year deal March 19th, 2024
- Browns sign wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to 3-year extension March 19th, 2024
- Alexander Mattison signs contract with Raiders March 18th, 2024
- Patriots ink K.J. Osborn to 1-year deal March 18th, 2024
- Panthers acquire wide receiver Diontae Johnson in trade with Steelers March 12th, 2024
- Panthers release tight end Hayden Hurst on Tuesday March 5th, 2024
- Miles Sanders (illness) returns to full Panthers practice Thursday January 4th, 2024
- Miles Sanders (illness) sits out Panthers practice Wednesday January 3rd, 2024
- Panthers place Jonathan Mingo (foot) on injured reserve January 2nd, 2024
- Carolina's Hayden Hurst (concussion) placed on injured reserve, out for remainder of season December 15th, 2023