| Panthers place Morgan on IR; sign QB Olson to practice squad |
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| Written by Admin |
| Tuesday, 06 November 2007 12:25 |
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -The Carolina Panthers placed Dan Morgan on injured reserve Tuesday, ending another frustrating season for the oft-injured middle linebacker. The Panthers promoted fullback Billy Latsko from the practice squad to take Morgan's place on the 53-man roster. The team also signed quarterback Drew Olson to the practice squad to provide depth with David Carr and Vinny Testaverde banged up. Morgan hasn't played since he partially tore his right Achilles' tendon in Carolina's win in Atlanta on Sept. 23. Despite being in a walking boot for a couple weeks, Morgan had hoped to return this season. But it was determined Tuesday that Morgan will need surgery, putting his future with the team in jeopardy. Rookie Jon Beason, taken by Carolina in the first round in part because of Morgan's history of injuries, has taken over at middle linebacker and is the Panthers' leading tackler with 65. With Morgan out for the season, the 2001 first-round draft pick will have missed 53 of 112 games in his six-year career with a variety of injuries, including multiple concussions. Morgan sustained at least the fifth concussion of his career in the 2006 season opener and missed the final 15 games. Doctors cleared him to return this season, and he took a pay cut to stay with the Panthers. Morgan began the season as Carolina's starting middle linebacker until he was sidelined in the win against the Falcons. Olson, who played at UCLA, went undrafted in 2006 and spent last season on Baltimore's practice squad. He played for Amsterdam in NFL Europa last summer, then was cut by the Ravens on Aug. 28. The Panthers might need Olson just to practice Wednesday. Carr suffered a concussion in Sunday's loss to Tennessee and his status this week is uncertain. Vinny Testaverde sat out Sunday's game with a right Achilles' tendon injury. That left undrafted rookie Matt Moore, who signed with the team in September, as the only healthy quarterback. Original starter Jake Delhomme is out for the season after undergoing surgery on his right elbow. |
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