The Carolina Panthers are moving Jeremy Chinn to safety, one year after a stellar rookie season at linebacker.

At 220 pounds, Chinn is considered undersized for a linebacker. The Panthers also have a need at safety.

Matt Rhule said the decision is contingent upon Chinn's comfort level at the position when he gets to training camp. Chinn is currently returning from offseason cleanup surgery on his knee, so the Panthers are keeping him out of all contact work until the summer as a precautionary measure.

"Obviously he would be a big safety and he would be able to cover tight ends," Rhule said. "He can go fit the run too. It's rare to have a guy that big, with that size and that intelligence level. He's one of those guys that can fill a lot of different roles for us."