Colin

Cole

He’ll add depth to their rush defense.

Cole, an eight-year veteran, was last heard from in July of 2011 when he was battling ankle issues. The run-stuffing defensive tackle has 218 career tackles and 4.5 sacks. He was last with the Seahawks, starting 26 games from 2009-10. Carolina is annually in search of space eaters, so Cole -- last listed at 6-foot-2, 328 -- is worth a look. He’s going on 33, but should be fresh after the 2012 layoff.

Cole limped off the field very gingerly, and is almost certainly done for the day. Cole is a starter, but a weak link along Carolina’s fearsome defensive line.

Cole would return as Carolina’s backup nose tackle behind Star Lotulelei. The Panthers have sophomore DT Kawann Short stationed behind Dwan Edwards.

He returns as a reserve. Cole didn’t play a single down in 2011-12, but turned in 316 competent snaps as a run stuffer last season. Cole turns 34 in June.

Carolina needed Cole’s roster spot to sign DE Ryan Delaire from the Redskins’ practice squad. Cole, 35, started 24 games for the Panthers from 2013-2014, but received poor marks from Pro Football Focus both as a run stopper and pass rusher. He’d tumbled down to No. 5 on the defensive tackle depth chart.

According to ESPN’s John Clayton, Cole will earn $1.05 million next season. Cole was a solid rotational tackle last season, finishing with 28 tackles in 420 snaps. He’ll turn 35 later this offseason.

Harrell is 20-30 pounds heavier than he was in college. Corey Williams, Colin Cole, and Johnny Jolly will see more time than Harrell early in the year, although Green Bay believes Harrell will contribute as a rookie eventually.

The pass-rushing Jolly, a sixth-rounder from Texas A&M last year, has moved past Corey Williams, Colin Cole, and Justin Harrell on the depth chart.