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Carolina Panthers News
Panthers receiver Keith Kirkwood suffered a serious injury Tuesday after taking a hit to the head/neck from reserve safety JT Ibe. Kirkwood immediately fell to the ground and laid motionless. He was placed on a board and carted off. The Panthers have not made a formal announcement about Kirkwood's injury. Head coach Matt Rhule addressed the team and kicked Ibe out of practice.
After releasing rookie safety J.T. Ibe earlier in the day following his illegal hit of a teammate in practice, the Panthers claimed linebacker Nate Hall off waivers from the Texans. Hall adds depth at a position that is thin, particularly with starting OLB Shaq Thompson missing the first day of padded practice with an injury. He is the second linebacker added to the roster in two days.
As Panthers GM Scott Fitterer promised, a lot of roster turnover. Carolina signed safety Brian Cole, a seventh-round pick of the Vikings in 2020 out of Mississippi State. Wide receiver Ventell Bryant was waived. Cole is the fifth roster addition this week.
Panthers owner David Tepper was asked on the team telecast of FanFest how it felt to have fans in the stands at Bank of America Stadium. He replied, "It feels pretty freaking great. It feels like football.'' He was at training camp in Spartanburg on Thursday and noted he didn't have to run touch the "DBO'' -- Don't Beat Ourselves -- sign, so guess he didn't make a mistake.