NFL: Tongan-heritage blocker Amini Silatolu signs with Panthers

by Agence France-Presse

Amini Silatolu, an offensive guard of Tongan heritage, signed a one-year contract with the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, marking his second stint with the Super Bowl 50 runner-up.

The 28-year-old blocker played for Carolina from 2012 into 2015, but suffered a torn right knee ligament in October 2015. He missed the remainder of the Panthers’ season, including their loss to the Denver Broncos at Super Bowl 50 last year.

Silatolu, whose parents left Tonga in 1985 for the San Francisco area where Amini was born, signed with the Chicago Bears last year but was released before the season began.

The 40th overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, Silatolu started 28 of 34 games played but battled injuries in recent campaigns.