Panthers Sign DT John Penisini As They Shift To 3-4
The Carolina Panthers added depth to their defensive line with the addition of defensive tackle John Penisini. Penisini, a sixth-round pick in 2020, was the Lions' starting nose tackle his rookie year and played a rotational role under coach Dan Campbell's 4-3 scheme in 2021. He retired after the 2021 season. The Panthers are moving to a 3-4 defense this season, so the 333-pound Penisini will be moving back to nose tackle. His contract is for one year for an as-yet unreported sum.
Detroit Lions defensive tackle John Penisini announced his retirement on Saturday morning in an Instagram post. Penisini is calling it quits after just being drafted in the sixth round in 2020 out of Utah. The 25-year-old interior defensive lineman saw action in 16 games in each of his first two seasons with the Lions, and he totaled 49 tackles (23 solo), four tackles for loss, one sack, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery in 32 games (12 starts) in his two seasons in Detroit. All 12 of his starts came in his rookie season, and Penisini's playing time was cut back in 2021.
The Detroit Lions filled a position of need with a solid value pick in the sixth round of Saturday's NFL Draft. John Penisini is a big defensive tackle out of Utah who should be able to immediately help a Lions Defense that allowed the second-most yards in the NFL last season. Despite weighing in at 318 pounds, Penisini is a deceptively good athlete with plus strength and good hands. He should be able to crack the defensive line rotation as early as this season.
John Penisini
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Panthers
