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Not playing a game dropped the Panthers three spots to the bottom of the NFL statistics in run defense.
Heading into Monday night's Green Bay-Minnesota game, Carolina was last in the league against the run, giving up 182.7 rushing yards per game.
But help may be on the way if newly signed defensive tackle Hollis Thomas, 35, has enough left in his 14th season to tie up blockers and clear the way for middle linebacker Jon Beason to make more plays.
Carolina has struggled to fill the nose position since Maake Kemoeatu suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon tear in the opening practice of training camp.
Beason welcomed Thomas' arrival.
"Coaches say he's going to help out a lot, especially help me out, so I'm excited about it to see how it works out," Beason said Monday.
"I like having veterans around me just because you can always learn something from them. He's already bringing a lot of energy just in a few days of practice. You know he's proven."
WR Jarrett drops behind Moore
Third-year receiver Dwayne Jarrett has fallen behind former Wake Forest star Kenny Moore as the Panthers' No.3 receiver and also hasn't been featured as much in the passing game as tight end Dante Rosario.
After praising the play of Moore and Rosario Monday, quarterback Jake Delhomme was asked about Jarrett's apparently diminished role.
"We haven't used (him) a whole bunch," said Delhomme. "But he's still someone who's still very viable in what we do."
Defensive tackle 'Sunny' despite demotion
Rookie defensive tackle Ra'Shon "Sunny" Harris was signed to the practice squad after the Panthers released him last week to sign Thomas.
While he'd prefer to be on the active roster, Harris said he will use this to continue developing his skills.
"It's a chance to get better and things like that, and hopefully I can be back up" on the active roster, he said.
A day off
The Panthers are off today, as they routinely are on Tuesday, and return to practice Wednesday.
