Panthers sign kicker Matthew Wright amid Eddy Pineiro injury

The Carolina Panthers signed veteran kicker Matthew Wright Tuesday with Eddy Pineiro nursing a groin injury which could result in him missing preseason action.

Carolina signed Wright after bringing him in for a pre-practice workout. Wright, the former UCF Knight, has kicked for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Wright has connected on 40-of-46 fields goals for an 87% conversion rate. In four games with the Steelers this past season, he made 12-of-14, including a season-high 52-yarder. The year prior, he helped the Jaguars snap a 20-game losing streak by nailing a game-winning 53-yard field goal against the Miami Dolphins in London.

The Panthers waived undrafted rookie offensive tackle BJ Wilson to make room for Wright.

Panthers to play Bryce Young in preseason opener against Jets

Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young will get the start under center in the preseason opener against the New York Jets this Saturday, head coach Frank Reich said Sunday.

Reich did not reveal, however, how many snaps or series Young will play in during his NFL debut.

“I do have an idea,” Reich said, via ESPN. “There is flexibility in the plan. There has to be. That’s just being smart about it. We have a general idea how many plays we want to get through the whole preseason… That can be adjusted by 10 or 20 percent depending on how things go.”

Young, the first overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, added Saturday he’s looking forward to meeting Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the first time, even with the four-time MVP not taking part in the game. Rodgers will instead get his work in during joint practices with the Panthers this Wednesday and Thursday at Wofford College in Spartanburg.

“He’s somebody I’ve watched and studied and looked up to a lot throughout my life,” Young said. “I have a ton of respect for his game.”