Pep to IR

Panthers place DE Peppers on IR

Associated Press






Updated: December 26, 2007, 1:59 PM ET



CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Julius Peppers' disappointing season is over.





The Carolina Panthers placed the defensive end on injured reserve Wednesday with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee. The injury forced Peppers to miss Saturday's loss to Dallas, ending his consecutive games streak at 78.
Peppers finished with only three sacks in 14 games, ending a streak of three straight years with at least 10½ sacks. He was not elected to the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2003.
The poor year leaves Carolina with a decision to make in the offseason. With one year left on Peppers' contract, the Panthers will likely have to rework his deal before next season to open up salary-cap space.
Before this season, it was assumed Peppers would get a new contract rivaling the six-year, $72 million deal given to Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney.
Peppers, who had a career-high 13 sacks last year, said earlier this month that he doesn't believe his low numbers this year will affect his value.
Rookie Charles Johnson, who got his first start against the Cowboys, will likely start in Sunday's season finale at Tampa Bay.
Taking Peppers' place on the roster is kicker Rhys Lloyd, signed from Baltimore's practice squad to give Carolina a stronger leg for kickoffs. John Kasay has a league-low two touchbacks and has put five kickoffs out of bounds.
The Panthers also signed receiver Travis Taylor, who played briefly with St. Louis and Oakland this season. Taylor replaces center Justin Hartwig, who was placed on injured reserve Monday with a knee injury.
Also Wednesday, tackle Jordan Gross (ankle), safety Chris Harris (neck) and quarterback Vinny Testaverde (Achilles) missed practice.
The Panthers added two players to the practice squad on Wednesday: former Wake Forest safety Patrick Ghee and defensive back Eddie Canonico, who has played in the Arena Football League.

 

Travis Taylor > Cobert/Carter

 

riiiiiiiiiiight.

 

he's already on his third team -- this season.

 

Strange moves in picking up a practice squad kicker and Travis Taylor for the lastgame? What is that about. Let just see what Jarrett can freaking do, not some retread.

 

Or, let's see if Taylor has anything left in case both Colbert AND Carter walk.

 

He's only 28 and had almost 60 catches in 2006.

 

I think the knock on Taylor has been inconsistancy and dropped passes. Sounds like a Keary Colbert, except that he's played in offenses that lack a favorite target, therefore having more receptions. If he's not good enough to hang around Baltimore, Minnesota or Oakland, I doubt he'll be the answer here.

Nice that we waited until the final week to address the kickoff situation.

 

You took the words right out of my mouth.

 

FWIW the kicker was claimed off waivers, it's not like he was sitting around somewhere and we picked him up. There must have been something they liked in him that they want to give him a try going into 2008. Kasay isn't getting any younger.

Two safeties added to the practice squad, too.

Travis Taylor probably won't even see the field.