CHARLOTTE – The Panthers have released veteran defensive tackle Paul Soliai.
Carolina signed Soliai to a two-year contract last March after the Falcons released him, bringing in the 2011 Pro Bowler to provide rotational depth behind Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short. But Soliai, a starter for the Falcons and Dolphins from 2010-15, appeared in just 10 games in 2016 – the fewest since his rookie year – and recorded just five tackles.
Soliai's season highlight came in a late-season victory over the Chargers, when he outfought several players to secure a Philip Rivers fumble on a Short strip-sack. A fourth-round draft pick of the Dolphins in 2007, Soliai has played in 138 games with 87 starts and has recorded 218 tackles, including 5.5 sacks.
The Panthers also released fullback Mike Tolbert on Tuesday.
