Carolina Panthers release former All-Pro LB Justin Houston
The Carolina Panthers released former All-Pro linebacker Justin Houston on Tuesday, the team announced. Houston, who was in his first year with Carolina, was on injured reserve with a hamstring strain. According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the linebacker would like to play again this season and is hopeful about joining a playoff contender after his exit from the 2-12 Panthers.
Houston had 9.5 sacks last season in 14 games for the Baltimore Ravens. However, the 34-year-old linebacker has just nine tackles with a half sack this year for Carolina. He signed with the Panthers in the offseason on a one-year deal for $6 million.
The four-time Pro Bowler is in his 13th NFL season. He now has the opportunity to suit up for his fifth franchise.
Houston spent two seasons with the Ravens following two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, which all came after an eight-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs where he was one of the most consistent outside linebackers in the NFL.
His time in Kansas City was highlighted by an impressive 2014 season where he led the NFL with 22 sacks, also achieving a career-high 68 tackles in the process. He earned First-team All-Pro honors and the Deacon Jones Award as well following his breakout year.
Houston tallied up 506 tackles, 111.5 sacks, and 19 forced fumbles throughout his first 12 seasons, also tying the NFL all-time record for career safeties with four.
A Georgia native, Houston went in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft from the Georgia Bulldogs to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Panthers secure second win in Week 15
The Carolina Panthers secured their second win of the season on Sunday, clinching the victory with an interception in the closing minutes of the game against the Falcons. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young was elated to get the victory, the first with interim head coach Chris Tabor.
Young mounted a 17-play, 90-yard drive to win on a field goal with time expiring. The QB told reporters he believed the team could do it, despite the turmoil they’ve faced this year.
“I mean, where else would you rather be?” Young said when reporters asked what he had told his teammates. “You know, opportunity go down and win the game. For me, there’s no other group I’d rather deal with. We all have faith in each other; we all believe in each other. And it was just a great opportunity. So I’m just in the huddle, being able to look at each other. We all had the same look in each other’s eyes.
“We all had confidence and, you know, we were able to put it together.”
In Week 16, the Panthers face the Green Bay Packers. The game is a 1 p.m. ET kickoff on New Year’s Eve.