Panthers sign ex-Dolphins LB to active roster

The Carolina Panthers delivered one of the NFL’s worst defenses performances ever Sunday. So the franchise made a defensive addition Monday after the Chicago Bears poured 59 on them. And this addition comes following a run with the Miami Dolphins.

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter revealed who the defending NFC South champs are bringing in via NFL Free Agency.

“Linebacker Tyrel Dodson signed to the Panthers’ active roster,” Schefter posted on the social media website X, formerly Twitter.

Dodson isn’t joining the practice squad first. Carolina and head coach Dave Canales clearly made the call to immediately plug him into the 53-man roster.

Once again Carolina got gashed on defense at the hands of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and company. Williams accounted for four touchdowns including two through the air. He finished with 269 passing yards and rushed for 65 more.

Chicago also produced two 100-yard rushers in D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, who delivered 124 and 100 yards respectively. Swift delivered the hat trick of scoring three times while Monangai scored once.

Linebacker Devin Lloyd emerged as the lone Panthers defense highlight, collecting 13 tackles inside Bank of America Stadium. Safety Nick Scott put together a seven-tackle outing. Will Lee III delivered the only takeaway in pouncing on a loose football for the fumble recovery.

But Chicago racked up more than 200 yards passing and rushing. Sunday became the worst outing ever for Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who’s been with the team since 2023 even before Canales became head coach. Now he’s one DC entering the hot seat heading into week two. Plus may need to play Dodson a lot sooner.

Dodson spent his last two seasons in Miami, tallying a career-high 129 last season.