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Published: Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012 / Updated: Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012 10:14 PM

Panthers sign Thomas Austin

After losing starting center and Pro Bowler Ryan Kalil for the season, the Carolina Panthers signed Thomas Austin on Thursday.

Austin has been in the league since 2010, when he went undrafted out of Clemson and signed with the Minnesota Vikings. He was most recently a member of the New England Patriots’ practice squad before being cut on Oct. 2.

He played in three games with the Houston Texans in 2011.

Austin will first practice with the Panthers on Monday when the team returns from its mandated four days off during the bye week. Head coach Ron Rivera said on Wednesday that offensive guard Geoff Hangartner will shift to center and Jeff Byers and Garry Williams will compete for the open guard position.