Panthers reach deal with NT Fields

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers shored up their offensive and defensive lines Tuesday, reaching deals with nose tackle Ron Fields and guard Reggie Wells.

The six-foot-two, 314-pound Fields gives the Panthers some much needed experience up front, where they have two rookies in Sione Fua and Terrell McClain and a second-year player in Andre Neblett. The 30-year-old Fields has started 25 games during his six seasons, including 16 in 2009 with Denver. He was released by Miami earlier this month.

The 6-4, 318-pound Wells has started 91 games during his eight seasons in the league, the first seven with Arizona. The 30-year-old Wells played last season with Philadelphia and started one game late in the season. He was released this summer.

Because the Panthers waited until after Week 1 to sign both players, neither contract is guaranteed.

To make room on the roster, the Panthers will place middle linebacker Jon Beason on injured reserve Wednesday with a torn Achilles'. They released guard Max Jean-Gilles prior to Sunday's 28-21 loss at Arizona.

Beason had surgery two weeks before the season opener to alleviate inflammation in his left foot and was injured during Sunday's game. But he wrote on his blog Tuesday he doesn't believe he rushed back too soon.

"If I had to do it all over again, and go into that game with my Achilles injury, I would," Beason wrote. "Because football defines who I am. Sometimes you have to do something that you've never done to get something you've never had. The motivating factor is simple for me. To win, and not fear failure. A lot of people say, hey, he rushed back too soon. But actually, I didn't. I told my teammates and myself that I would only play if I could help the team. I felt ready to do that. Myself and the Panthers' medical staff were convinced that I was healthy enough to play in the opener versus the Cardinals."