Linebacker Chandler Wooten is back where he started with the Carolina Panthers and eligible to play in the season-opening game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

When the Panthers reduced their preseason roster to the regular-season limit of 53 players on Aug. 29, Wooten made the cut.

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But between the initial roster deadline and the waiver deadline the next day, the Panthers claimed three players who had been let go by other teams. That meant three players had to be let go by Carolina to keep its roster at 53. Wooten was one of the players.

After Wooten cleared waivers, the Panthers re-signed the former Auburn standout for their practice squad.

On Friday, Carolina promoted Wooten back to the 53-player active roster. The spot on the roster opened when the Panthers placed two players on injured reserve.

Last season, Wooten was on the field for 145 special-teams plays in nine games for Carolina. He joined the Panthers on Oct. 17 when Carolina signed him off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad.

Wooten had joined Arizona after being passed over in the 2022 NFL Draft.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.