NFL

Carolina Panthers agree to one-year contract with Pro Bowl edge rusher Justin Houston

By Sports Desk August 06, 2023

Justin Houston will be lining up for the Carolina Panthers' defence in 2023.

The four-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker signed a one-year contract with the Panthers on Sunday.

Houston spent the past two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and registered 9 1/2 sacks in 2022 to give him 111 1/2 in his career - fourth most among all active players.

Selected in the third round by Kansas City in the 2011 NFL draft, Houston's best season came for the Chiefs in 2014 when he earned All-Pro honours by racking up 22 sacks - just one-half sack shy of the NFL single-season record.

After spending his first eight pro seasons with the Chiefs, Houston spent the next two years with the Indianapolis Colts before signing with Ravens prior to the 2021 season.

Houston will be reunited with first-year Panthers coach Frank Reich and joins Carolina's new 3-4 defensive scheme to play opposite Brain Burns, a Pro Bowl selection in 2022.

The 34-year-old Houston, who has 182 quarterback hurries and 19 forced fumbles in 163 career games, previously played for Reich in Indianapolis.

 

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