The Panthers should be getting some help on their defensive line soon.
The team announced Tuesday that they have designated defensive end Ryan Delaire to return from injured reserve this season. Each team is allowed to designate one player to return each year and a rule change this year calls for teams to make that choice once the player has been on the list for six weeks. The designation had to be made at the time he went on I.R. in previous years.
Delaire was placed on injured reserve on September 27 with a knee injury and had arthroscopic surgery a short time later. The Panthers have three weeks to add Delaire to their active roster or he’ll be out for the rest of the year.
“I feel pretty fresh. It’s been almost two months,” Delaire said. “I feel way better. Stepping up and contributing, that’s something I want to do. I tried to do that at the beginning of the season, and even when I was hurt, I tried to do what I could to help. I feel like I can contribute and bring something to the team.
Delaire had two tackles in two games this year and had 2.5 sacks in nine appearances in 2015. The Panthers could use some help on their defensive front with Mario Addison suffering a foot injury in last week’s win over the Saints.