CHARLOTTE — The Panthers added some more secondary depth late in the week.
The team signed veteran cornerback Rashaan Melvin to the practice squad Friday.
He could potentially be elevated for Sunday's game against the Saints, to help bolster a defense that's running a little thin.
After nickel Myles Hartsfield was placed on IR this week with a wrist injury, the Panthers are scrambling a bit, since projected nickel A.J. Bouye won't be eligible until next week.
They've discussed using Jaycee Horn, safety Juston Burris, or others at nickel, but Melvin would offer a known commodity as an outside corner to give them some flexibility. They also added veteran cornerback Corn Elder to the practice squad this week.
Melvin was with the team all offseason, was released in final cuts, and initially placed on the practice squad, but was cut before the opener. The 31-year-old Melvin's in his ninth NFL season.
To make room for him on the practice squad, the Panthers released cornerback John Brannon from the practice squad.