Jarius Byrd signed with the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 3, a Tuesday, and less than a week later played almost half of the team’s defensive snaps in a 27-24 victory over Detroit.
Byrd was on the field for 24 out of 61 defensive snaps. Fellow free safety Colin Jones played 36.
The reason they got as much playing time as they did is that starter Kurt Coleman was out with a sprained knee.
Coleman, safety Demetrious Cox (ankle) and center Ryan Kalil (neck) were the only three Panthers listed as out on Carolina’s final pregame injury report on Wednesday.