Upgrading the defense was the Carolina Panthers' top offseason priority. The biggest upgrade could be Pro Bowler Derrick Brown's return.
The run-stuffing defensive tackle played in a single game last season before suffering a season-ending injury. He got his first taste of action over the weekend -- three snaps against Houston -- after begging his way onto the field.
"I think it was a lot of pestering all week leading up to that," Brown said, chuckling, via the team’s official website. "I definitely sat on the sideline and a high anticipation the week before for the Cleveland game and didn't practice, so to get back out there was awesome.
"It's been, it's been a long nine months to say the least, so, just to know what it took to get back to this point and then being able to just, you know, enjoy the moment. ... That was a little teaser out there, but you know, I'll take what I can get."
The Panthers sorely missed Brown last season. In his last full season before the injury, the big man netted 103 tackles in 2023, setting the single-season tackle record for a defensive lineman.
Carolina's defense was Swiss cheese sans Brown, allowing the third-most rushing yards all-time (3,057) and second-most total yards all-time (6,877).
"It sucked, to be honest, it did," Brown said of watching his team get run over. "It was awful, I had to watch the game at home at first until I could start walking again, and that was awful. I spent a lot of time yelling at my TV. But other than that, it was great.
"I think I just truly take everything from that adversity of the injury last year, and it just makes me appreciate the game so much more."
Brown discussed his drive to return this season after undergoing a grueling rehab.
"Definitely pushing myself right now to get back in shape, and be able to get ready to go," he said. "I don't know, man. I just think it's crazy to go from being nine or 10 weeks of non-weight bearing, and then trying to walk again, and then get to the point of you're running, and then starting to try to build your stamina up. I mean, it's tough."
The Panthers brought in a host of new defenders this offseason, including safety Tre'von Moehrig, linebacker Christian Rozeboom, pass rusher Patrick Jones II, defensive end Tershawn Wharton and nose tackle Bobby Brown III.
The most significant add, however, could be getting Derrick Brown back for a full season.
