CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers defensive end Lavar Edwards is with his sixth NFL team – including two stints with the Dallas Cowboys -- since 2013. He’s been cut five times and traded once.
He spent only two days with the Oakland Raiders last season before being released.
He’s traveled more than 5,300 miles during his NFL stops, most on the Panthers.
“It’s enough that it will start taking a toll on you mentally,’’ Edwards said. “It was always, ‘Well, I’ve got to get better, I’ve got to get better.’ I never got down on myself. I just wanted to make sure that every chance that I got I got better and worked harder and harder.’’
Edwards hopes he’s found a home with Carolina, which claimed him off waivers on Sept. 4 after the Buffalo Bills released the former fifth-round pick out of LSU.
Versatility gives him a chance. He played 18 snaps, mostly at defensive tackle, two weeks ago against San Francisco. He played 21 snaps, mostly at end, in Sunday’s loss to Minnesota.
Edwards also got his first career sack against the Vikings, which gives him more than Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kawann Short and defensive ends Kony Ealy and Charles Johnson combined.
He may not be a star or a starter. He won’t make huge headlines as the Panthers (1-2) prepare for Sunday’s NFC South game at Atlanta (2-1).
But he’s a survivor.
“If you think about giving up, nine times out of 10 you’re not going to get it,’’ Edwards said. “It’s a hard enough journey to get even to college. To get to this level, I just knew that I was supposed to be here.’’
So why has Edwards fit into Carolina’s 4-3 scheme better than he did in Buffalo’s 3-4 scheme or any other scheme he’s been a part of? You can start with his ability to play inside and out, something the Panthers like in their ends.
Other than Ealy, they really haven’t had a player who can do that since Greg Hardy in 2013.
“He’s shown some position flexibility . . . which is really kind of exciting,’’ coach Ron Rivera said. “He’s smart, a sharp young man who picks up things very quickly.
“He’s powerful. He’s got a good motor. He can run all day. Yeah, he’s going to fit in very nicely to that room.’’
Edwards is simply glad to have a room. He played in only 12 games from 2013 to 2015 in Tennessee, Dallas and Chicago. He spent most of last season on the Cowboys’ practice squad before Buffalo signed him on December 1.
He thought his chances were good at Buffalo, but he was among the final roster cuts.
“I just know over my career, after the first couple of times I was released, I just sat back and looked and tried to figure out what I wasn’t doing and what I was doing in order to not make teams or not have the success I felt I should be having in my career,’’ Edwards said.
“I just wanted to make sure that since I got another chance, I work even harder to take advantage of it.’’
End Mario Addison can relate. He finally fit in as a pass rush specialist at Carolina after being with three other teams.
“It’s rough, man,’’ he said of moving from team to team. “That’s the thing about football, if you know you’re good, you should never give up. When you get over that hill, the light is bright.’’
Addison believes Edwards has a bright future because he’s willing to learn. “He’s got all the talent in the world,’’ Addison said. “He just needed an opportunity.’’
Safety Kurt Coleman, whom Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer admittedly made a mistake in cutting in 2014, agreed.
“I always think the NFL isn’t always about talent,’’ he said. “It’s about finding the right spot to perform and your opportunity to perform. You don’t always get those opportunities you need to shine.’’
Buffalo end Jerel Worthy saw potential in Edwards during training camp. He liked Edwards’ speed off the ball, the way he attacked with his hands, the way he can play any position along the line.
But he said Edwards’ biggest strength may be his commitment to the game. “Once you make up your mind as an athlete in this game that you want to be better and you want to overcome some negativities in your life, you can do whatever you want,’’ he said. “And he’s taken advantage of that.’’
Edwards credits his faith for keeping him strong through the tough times. “When I came here, the style of defense they play here and the way these guys play football was a blessing in disguise,’’ he said. “I got a chance to come in and play, and I just want to make sure I don’t let the coach or GM down.’’
ESPN.com NFL Nation Buffalo Bills reporter Mike Rodak contributed to this story.
