Ioannidis lands with Carolina a week after Washington surprisingly released him in the final year of his four-year contract. Pro Football Focus graded Ioannidis as the league's 38th best interior defensive lineman last year. The Panthers in 2021 had the NFL's 15th best pass rush and 27th best run defense, per PFF. 

Ioannidis was in the final year of a four-year contract. His release saves the Commanders $6.88 million. Entering his age-28 season, Ioannidis should land another starting gig soon. He graded as Pro Football Focus' 38th interior defensive lineman in 2021, logging 608 snaps for Washington. The Commanders need to free up cap space after agreeing to take on all $28 million of Carson Wentz's 2022 cap hit.

Ioannidis will likely miss Week 15 against the Eagles and look to return for Week 16 against the Cowboys. Washington's defensive line is usually the strength of their defense, but they have placed 11 players on the Covid list, and more could be on the way. Coming off a disastrous outing against the Cowboys in Week 14, Washington could be extremely shorthanded against their divisional rivals over the next two weeks.

Ioannidis practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday, but he missed Friday's practice with a knee injury and is unable to go today. Given the abundance of talent Washington has on their defensive line, it's a difficult matchup for Buffalo regardless.