The Carolina Panthers have added some experience to their inside linebacker room ahead of the NFL preseason.
On Sunday, the team announced the signing of former Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Krys Barnes. Undrafted rookie linebacker Tuasivi Nomura was waived in a corresponding move.
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Barnes, 27, will provide proven depth behind starting inside linebackers Trevin Wallace and Christian Rozeboom during the team’s upcoming exhibition slate. He will immediately be welcomed to the fray this week when the team hosts the Cleveland Browns for a joint practice on Wednesday and a preseason game on Friday.
Barnes, list as 6-foot-2 and 229 pounds, will compete with Claudin Cherelus, Jacoby Windmon, Jon Rhattigan and undrafted rookie Bam Martin-Scott for playing time. Cherelus and Rhattigan are established special teams aces, while Windmon is competing pretty regularly on defense this summer. Martin-Scott secured his highlight of the summer on Saturday when he intercepted a pass from third-string QB Jack Plummer to tight end Bryce Pierre.
Barnes spent his first three seasons with the Packers, appearing in 35 games (24 starts) and producing 190 tackles, three sacks, four pass breakups and a forced fumble. He spent the past two seasons with the Cardinals, collecting 90 tackles, two sacks, six pass breakups and an interception in 33 games (six starts). He has experience playing in both 3-4 and 4-3 defensive schemes.
The Bakersfield, Calif. native played his college ball at UCLA.
Nomura, a Fresno State alum, was signed by the Panthers in May. He participated in all eight practices — including Saturday’s Fan Fest — before his departure. He will be subject to waivers.