The Panthers are signing cornerback Robert Rochell off the Cowboys’ practice squad, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. He’ll immediately join the Panthers’ energetic roster.
A fourth-round pick in 2021, Rochell began five regular-season games as a rookie for the Super Bowl-winning Rams. Rochell intercepted the lone pass of his profession that season, but he didn’t factor into the Rams’ playoff run.
Now 27 years old, Rochell hasn’t began a single game since his rookie campaign. He has mostly served on special teams throughout his profession. He worked as a reserve for the Rams over 17 games in 2022 before totaling 20 appearances over the following two seasons with the Packers.
Rochell signed with the Cowboys last June, but he didn’t survive final cuts. He hooked on with their practice squad after that and ended up appearing in two of the Cowboys’ games this season. All 16 of his snaps got here on special teams.
The addition of Rochell will help the Panthers replace fellow corner Corey Thornton, who broke his fibula in a loss to the 49ers on Monday. With Thornton set to miss the remaining of the season, the Panthers placed him on IR on Wednesday, in line with Joe Person of The Athletic. The undrafted rookie from Louisville played in all the Panthers’ first 12 games and made 14 tackles. He totaled 210 snaps (127 on defense, 83 on special teams).
In other Wednesday transactions, the Panthers signed linebacker Krys Barnes from their practice squad to their energetic roster. Additionally they signed cornerback David Long to their taxi squad.
Barnes has received the utmost of three standard gameday elevations this 12 months, meaning the Panthers needed to sign him in an effort to use him again. Over 112 snaps (69 on defense, 43 on special teams), Barnes has made 12 tackles.
Long was previously with the Colts, who released him from their practice squad on Nov. 4. The 27-year-old hasn’t played in any games this season, but he combined for 79 appearances and 12 starts from 2019-24. Long had a three-game stint with the Panthers in 2023.