Desperate for help at offensive tackle, the Carolina Panthers on Saturday added one to their practice squad.
They signed Pierce Burton, who was released from the Falcons' practice squad this week. In a corresponding move, the Panthers released receiver Damiere Byrd from their practice squad.
An undrafted rookie out of South Carolina, Byrd had an impressive spring and summer, but the 5-foot-9 speedster is at least a year away from being ready for a 53-man roster.
Recent injuries to Daryl Williams and Nate Chandler have left the Panthers with Michael Oher and Mike Remmers as their only healthy tackles. Guard Amini Silatolu is now the top backup tackle, guard/center Chris Scott is the emergency backup and Canadian project David Foucault remains on the practice squad.
Asked this week if the current free agent tackle market had been picked over pretty well, coach Ron Rivera said:
"Yes. We're scouring the wires and we're really looking ... It's a hard situation right now cause we're really looking."
Burton, who played right tackle at Ole Miss, joined the Vikings as an undrafted rookie in 2014. He was released in final cuts and then got a second NFL chance with Atlanta this August.
He may not be the answer on the roster anytime soon, but the Sacramento native has 12 years of sailboat racing experience. And at 6-foot-6, 305-pounds, Burton can also do this:
310 pounds and still getting up there #H2 @athleticstandard @houseofhighlights
A video posted by Pierce Burton (@pierceburton) on