Panthers bring back veteran lineman to improve depth before preseason opener
The Carolina Panthers decided to beef up their offensive line depth chart with a familiar face ahead of their preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals in Canton, Ohio.
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Carolina re-signed unrestricted free agent Jake Curhan on Wednesday, the team announced following an initial report from The Charlotte Observer. Curhan, who played in 13 games (one start) last season for the Panthers, has the versatility to play both guard and tackle spots.
Curhan, 28, was the last of the team’s 2026 unrestricted free agents to find a home this offseason. Curhan had a workout with the Baltimore Ravens on Monday and previously worked out for the New York Giants last week.
Curhan’s return comes as the Panthers monitor injuries for starting right guard Rob Hunt (hamstring), starting left guard Damien Lewis (calf) and backup Saahdiq Charles (calf). Hunt returned to practice Monday, but Charles sustained his injury during that practice. Charles was placed on season-ending injured reserve in a corresponding move on Wednesday.
The Panthers are somewhat light on guard depth to begin with. The team re-signed veteran lineman Brady Christensen, who can play all five positions, just before training camp in July. Christensen, former fourth-round pick Chandler Zavala, Ja’Tyre Carter and undrafted rookie Isaia Glass have been asked to pick up the slack with Lewis and Hunt out for the bulk of the first week of camp.
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Curhan can fill the void at guard while also serving as insurance at tackle, though, the Panthers are largely fine on the boundary of the line with free-agent Rasheed Walker and first-round pick Monroe Freeling serving as the starting left and right tackles, respectively. The team also has Stone Forsythe and rookie Albert Reese at the position. Christensen can also moonlight at tackle.
The Panthers were able to bring Curhan aboard because of a roster spot left open by defensive end LaBryan Ray’s sudden retirement on Tuesday. With Charles headed to IR, the team also brought back undrafted rookie defensive tackle Parker Peterson, who was waived last week. Peterson will serve as a stand-in for Ray among the Panthers’ defensive line rotation.
The Panthers will face the Cardinals at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Thursday (8 p.m.). The game will be broadcast on NBC.
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This story was originally published August 5, 2026 at 3:52 PM.
