The Panthers went out and got a pass-rushing defensive end last week, and they were hoping he’d have a loud two-sack-and-nearly-more debut.
They got it, but not from the expected source.
It was rookie Ryan Delaire, not trade acquisition Jared Allen, who had the big day in the Panthers’ win at Tampa. Delaire was claimed off the Washington practice squad, and had a pair of sacks, and a third was only wiped out by a Jameis Winston grounding penalty.
“What an awesome debut. That was the coolest thing ever. I’m stoked for him,” Allen said, via Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer. “I love to see young guys have success. You could see it ear to ear.”
Allen wasn’t bad, but didn’t add to his 134.0 career sacks in his first game since coming over from the Bears. But he also didn’t have the same motivation, as Delaire, who was cut by the Buccaneers after training camp this year.
“I actually never really got a shot,” Delaire said. “I was in practice. I didn’t get as much reps. I couldn’t really perform the way I wanted to.”
The Panthers tried to work him out immediately after he was cut, but Washington offered a practice squad job so he went there instead. He made his way to the Panthers just in time, as they put veteran end Charles Johnson on IR/designated for return last week.