Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - The Carolina Panthers have signed defensive tackle Colin Cole.

Cole hasn't played a game in the NFL since 2010 when he was a member of the Seattle Seahawks. An ankle injury sidelined him for five games in the middle of that season, and offseason surgery led to his release prior to the 2011 campaign.

The 6-foot-2, 328-pounder has played in 84 career games, including 34 starts, with the Packers and Seahawks, recording 218 tackles and 4 1/2 sacks.

Cole entered the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Iowa in 2003 and made his NFL debut a year later with Green Bay.

02/08 11:40:59 ET