Connor goes on IR, Curry returns to team
CHARLOTTE -- The Carolina Panthers didn't have to look far to see how to fill their roster.
They replaced injured special-teamer/linebacker Dan Connor on Tuesday by agreeing to a deal with recently released special-teamer/linebacker Donte Curry.
Curry was just cut last Tuesday to clear the spot for the reinstatement of wide receiver Steve Smith. They needed him back when Connor blew out his left knee (torn ACL) during the first quarter of last week's loss at Minnesota. Connor was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
Curry was a find last year, finishing fourth on the team with 11 special teams tackles, despite playing just seven games. He was inactive for the first two games, but that will change. Connor had quickly become a staple of the special teams, and they'll need Curry to replace him this weekend against Atlanta.
• TUESDAY WORKOUTS: The Panthers continued to look at the available pool of defensive linemen, working out tackles Tim Anderson and Ryan Boschetti and end Junior Glymph. They worked out four defensive linemen two weeks ago, as it's clearly a spot they're keeping a close eye on.
Anderson, a former third-round pick, spent three years with Buffalo and played for the Falcons last year, but was cut before the start of the regular season.
Boschetti has spent the last four years with Washington, carving out a niche as the kind of undersized effort player the Panthers found in Gary Gibson.
Glymph, who's been a linebacker at some of his six different NFL homes, is a pass-rush prospect. That's where Miami was looking at him this year before cutting him. He's also been with Green Bay, Atlanta, Dallas, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, but has one career sack.
Former Panthers defensive tackle Ian Scott worked out for San Diego on Tuesday, and signed with the Chargers later in the day. The Panthers released him this summer with an injury settlement, and had mentioned the possibility of bringing him back later in the year. He suffered a sprained MCL during camp, and wouldn't have been eligible to return here until after Week 9.
• EXTRA POINTS: The Panthers also made a practice squad transaction Tuesday, releasing wide receiver Titus Ryan and bringing back defensive end Casper Brinkley.
Brinkley, an undrafted rookie from South Carolina, was part of the Panthers' first round of cuts after camp. They'll need the extra body for practice, since defensive end Charles Johnson suffered a hamstring injury last week and it's unclear if he'll be able to work today.
This story was originally published September 24, 2008 at 12:14 AM with the headline "Connor goes on IR, Curry returns to team."