Panthers release linebacker Justin Houston

Justin Houston (YouTube)

According to David Newton of ESPN on Tuesday, the Carolina Panthers have released linebacker Justin Houston of Statesboro, Georgia. The Panthers are actually trying to do Houston a favour. Carolina is one of three teams knocked out of the playoffs, and by releasing him, he can sign with a playoff contender. Houston reportedly requested the release according to CBS Sports.

Houston has played in seven games for Carolina in 2023. He has nine combined tackles (five solo tackles and four assisted tackles), three quarterback hits, two tackles for a loss, one pass deflection and half a sack.

During Houston’s time in Carolina, he only won once in seven games. That was in week eight in a 15-13 Panthers win over the Houston Texans on November 4. Houston had one assisted tackle. In fact, that was the last time Houston played a National Football League game as he has been out the last month with a hamstring injury.

Prior to playing for the Panthers, Houston played eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2011 to 2018, and two seasons each with the Indianapolis Colts (2019 and 202o), and the Baltimore Ravens (2021 and 2022). For four straight seasons from 2012 to 2015, Houston was selected to the Pro Bowl. He led the NFL in sacks in 2014 with 22.

Houston also has the NFL record for most safeties in a season with two. He is actually tied with 17 other players for the record, but is the last player in the NFL to accomplish the feat as he had two safeties with the Colts in 2020. Houston is also one of four players to have four career safeties. He is joined by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen of Dallas, Texas, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Doug English of Dallas, Texas, and Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame linebacker Ted Hendricks of Guatemala City, Guatemala. Of Houston’s four career safteties, three came with the Colts and one came with the Chiefs.

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