The Carolina Panthers have signed former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Caelen Carson to their practice squad, adding another option at a position that has become a concern following injuries in the secondary.
Carolina made room for Carson after moving Malcolm DeWalt IV to the active roster Thursday. A fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft, Carson came to the NFL from Wake Forest and played in 17 games for Dallas, starting eight. He'll now look to make his case for a spot with the Panthers.
Will Lee III's hamstring injury Thursday night added to Carolina's concerns at cornerback. DeWalt and Chau Smith-Wade were the only cornerbacks available on the active roster, so the Panthers brought up Marco Wilson from the practice squad for the Green Bay game.
Carolina's practice squad also includes cornerbacks Corey Thornton and Robert Rochell, along with safeties Zion Childress and Devonta Smith. Those positional differences matter when assessing the team's options: not every defensive back on the practice squad is a direct replacement at cornerback.
There are also limits on how often Carolina can use certain practice squad players on game day. Under NFL rules, a player can be elevated to the active roster for up to three regular-season games. Rochell has already used all three of his elevations, while Thursday marked Wilson's first. Rochell would need to be signed to the active roster to be elevated again.
Carson's arrival gives Carolina another cornerback to evaluate as it works through the injury situation. He will need to learn the defensive scheme and show the coaching staff he can contribute before becoming a realistic option for game-day duties.
For now, the signing addresses a specific need. How much Carson can help will depend on how quickly he adjusts and whether the Panthers need to call on him as the season continues.