Free agent LB Johnson visiting Lions

Former Panthers linebacker Landon Johnson, who was released earlier this month, is scheduled to fly to Detroit tonight for meetings with Lions team officials tomorrow, according to his agent, Andy Simms.

Simms described it as "a feeler visit" and said Johnson is trying to get a sense of the market for him, and that he also has received interest from other teams.

Johnson was a backup linebacker and special teams player for the Panthers who was thrust into a starting role when Thomas Davis suffered a season-ending knee injury. Later, Johnson was injured and wound up with Davis on injured reserve.

When Johnson came to Carolina two years ago, he'd been a full-time starter for the Cincinnati Bengals.

At least two other Panthers free agents took visits recently but are still unsigned. Linebacker Na'il Diggs, released the same day as Johnson, visited the St. Louis Rams.

Defensive end Tyler Brayton, an unrestricted free agent the Panthers are believed to still have some interest in re-signing, visited Seattle.

-- Charles Chandler