{
  "id": 9001760,
  "title": "Panthers' last-minute addition of veteran TE already paying off",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/panthers-last-minute-addition-of-veteran-te-already-paying-off",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-21T20:30:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/panthers-last-minute-addition-veteran-203039251.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan may have made crucial signings in the final days before the 2026 NFL season began. He added veteran tight end Darren Waller and inside linebacker Bobby Okereke, addressing two significant roster deficiencies. While Waller and Okereke are not just substitutes, they are already making notable contributions to the team. Okereke showcased his defensive skills in Sunday's 34-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, tallying 15 tackles and an interception in just two games. Meanwhile, Waller has emerged as a potent threat in the red zone, scoring twice within 12 yards of the end zone during the Falcons game. This age-34 season for Waller may not yield a large number of receiving yards, but his ability to make crucial plays inside the 20-yard line offers a valuable asset to the Panthers offense. With Waller on the roster, quarterback Bryce Young no longer needs to depend solely on wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan for short passes. Waller's impact extends to both sides of the ball, making him a key addition to the Panthers' strategy.",
  "summary": "Despite being signed just a few weeks before the regular season, TE Darren Waller is already making a big impact on the Panthers offense.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}