Panthers add K Kunalic to challenge Mare

By foxsports
Published

The Carolina Panthers have signed rookie kicker Adi Kunalic, but have decided to keep veteran Olindo Mare on the roster.

Kunalic, an undrafted rookie from Nebraska, attended training camp with the Panthers but was cut before the season.

Mare missed a 36-yard field goal with 5:26 left in the game Sunday that would have given Carolina a 26-24 lead against Atlanta. Instead, the Falcons scored two plays later on a 75-yard pass by Matt Ryan to beat the Panthers 31-23.

Mare also missed a tying field goal earlier in the season against Minnesota.

To make room on the roster, the Panthers put linebacker Jason Phillips on injured reserve with a right calf injury.

The Panthers visit Houston on Sunday.