The Carolina Panthers parted tactics Sunday with DT Terrell McClain, last year’s 3rd-round draft pick, and replaced him with free agent Dwan Edwards, an 8-year vet who was cut Friday by the Bills.

Details of Edwards’ deal weren’t straight away accessible.

Edwards, 31 years old, played the last 2 seasons with the Buffalo Bills after spending 6 years with the Ravens. The 6-foot-3, 301-pound Edwards has played in 85 games with 45 starts during his NFL career. He had 52 tackles and 2.5 sacks last year for the Bills.

Though McClain started 12 games last year as a rookie, the Carolina Panthers were unhappy with his absence of consistency in training camp.

“Terrell played well in spots for us last year but every year you have to be the very best you can at assessing players,” Panthers GM Marty Hurney related. “It was just an absence of consistency plus the fact that we had an opportunity to get a man like Dwan Edwards.” Basketball scores

Hurney called Edwards “the ultimate pro” and a player with incredible work ethic.

Coach Ron Rivera was satisfied with the move and feels it will be an upgrade for the Carolina Panthers defense.

“Dwan gives us something we didn’t actually see in training camp and that’s a guy who’s a dominant force at the 3 technique,” Rivera related. “We had 2 guys that were young and learning and trying to develop and come back but didn’t field what we were looking for. Dwan is a big physical guy who’s explosive off the ball and is a vertical rusher. And that’s what we’re looking for.”

Edwards is anticipated to start in Carolina alongside another DT with the same surname — Ron Edwards.

Dwan Edwards said he was thrilled to land on his feet so fast after being released.

“It’s great to be wanted,” Edwards declared. “You’re in demand and that is good.”

Edwards asserted his goal is to come in and get familiarized with the team’s defensive scheme as quickly as possible and be prepared to go Sunday when the Carolina Panthers open the season on the road against Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I know they would like to play fast and make plays,” Edwards related. “They have great linebackers and I want to permit them to run around and make plays like they are able of. I would like to come in and help anyway I can.”

McClain becomes the most recent 3rd-round draft pick bust for the Carolina Panthers, joining contemporary draft flops that include defensive tackles Corvey Irvin and Atiyyah Ellison and RB Eric Shelton.

The Panthers selected McClain with the 1st pick in the 3rd round last year, 65th overall.

While the Panthers were happy with his play on occasions last year that didn’t interpret over to this summer. The Panthers kept defensive Frank Kearse, an undrafted player they signed off Miami’s practice squad last year, instead of McClain.