Panthers are losing a key player for 8-12 weeks and added a familiar face in his spot
The Carolina Panthers are adding a familiar face to their roster.
The team is signing cornerback Corn Elder to its practice squad, a league source said Monday.
Elder’s signing comes in wake of news surrounding Myles Hartsfield’s wrist injury. Hartsfield suffered the injury in Sunday’s game against the Jets, and coach Matt Rhule said he will miss at least 8-12 weeks. Hartsfield will get a second opinion on whether he needs surgery.
In the meantime, the Panthers will place Hartsfield on the Injured Reserve.
The Panthers initially drafted Elder in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He started at nickel corner during the 2020 season and finished with 40 tackles, three pass deflections and a forced fumble. Carolina did not to re-sign him this offseason.
He signed with the Detroit Lions but was cut just before the season.
Teams are allowed to elevate up to two players from their practice squad 90 minutes before kickoff. Elder could be called up Sunday against the Saints.
The Panthers could also use Juston Burris at nickel cornerback and start backup safety Sean Chandler at safety.
Hartsfield, who joined the Panthers in 2020 as an undrafted rookie out of Ole Miss, was one of the standouts in training camp in August. He earned the starting nickel role and was also used as a backup safety.
Hartsfield finished Sunday’s game with two tackles and a pass deflection.
Cornerback A.J. Bouye, who the Panthers signed this offseason, is expected to return in Week 3 after he finishes serving a two-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Bouye will then start at nickel.
More Panthers news
▪ The Panthers have parted ways with second-year wide receiver Omar Bayless, a league source confirmed Monday.
Bayless, who the Panthers signed as an undrafted free agent in 2020, was on their practice squad this year.
He missed the entire 2020 season with a knee injury, and his release is likely to make room for Elder.
▪ The Panthers have signed wide receiver Alex Erickson to their 53-man roster. Erickson was elevated to the roster from their practice squad prior to Week 1.
He returned three punts for 31 yards on Sunday. The Panthers remain without rookie wide receiver Shi Smith, who has a shoulder injury.
▪ Starting right guard John Miller missed Sunday’s game because he was on the COVID19/reserve list. He was expected to miss 10 days, but Rhule said Monday he was hopeful Miller could return in time for the Panthers’ Week 2 game against the Saints.
This story was originally published September 13, 2021 at 4:25 PM.
