The Panthers announced Tuesday they have placed Johnson on injured reserved with a designation to return with a right hamstring strain. Johnson will be eligible to return to practice Nov. 10 and play in the Panthers’ Thanksgiving Day game against the Cowboys.
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Teams can only use the IR/designated for return on one player per season.
The Panthers traded a sixth-round pick to the Bears for veteran Jared Allen on Monday to help fill Johnson’s role in his absence, but a heavier burden will fall on second-year defensive lineman Kony Ealy, who will move to Johnson’s left defensive end position.
