Associated Press
CHARLOTTE ó The Carolina Panthers have claimed running back Tyrell Sutton off waivers from the Green Bay Packers and defensive tackle Ra’Shon Harris from the Pittsburgh Steelers to fill out their 53-man roster.
The moves were announced Sunday. The Panthers are expected to make a couple more moves after trimming their roster to 51 on Saturday.
The 5-foot-8 Sutton, who was among the Packers’ final cuts Saturday, signed with Green Bay after going undrafted out of Northwestern. He was the school’s second-leading rusher with 3,886 yards, and was second in career all-purpose yards with 5,138.
Sutton ran for 191 yards in the preseason, averaging 4.8 yards with one touchdown. He also returned five kickoffs for a 24.4 yard average, and the Panthers could be looking at him as a punt returner, an that’s an area of concern heading into the season.
Kenny Moore and Captain Munnerlyn both struggled fielding punts during the preseason.
Sutton also gives the Panthers some depth at running back if Jonathan Stewart isn’t ready for the season opener. Stewart has been bothered by a sore Achilles’ and hasn’t practiced since Aug. 11, although he said last week he plans to be ready for Philadelphia on Sept. 13.
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Harris was a sixth-round draft choice of the Steelers last year after a college career at Oregon. He started all 13 games for the Ducks as a senior and led interior linemen in tackles for a loss.