CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers on Tuesday signed safety Robert Lester off the practice squad and added guard Chris Scott to the practice squad.
In order to make room for Lester, linebacker D.J. Smith was released.
Both moves make sense. Lester started four games at strong safety last season and had three interceptions. He also played special teams, and you’d expect some changes on that unit after the Panthers allowed a 97-yard kickoff return in Sunday’s 37-37 tie against Cincinnati.
Scott gives the Panthers insurance in case left guard Amini Silatolu is unable to play this week with a calf injury. Fernando Velasco played well after Silatolu went down, but the next available player would be undrafted rookie David Foucault.
Most of Foucault’s brief experience has been at tackle.
Scott started eight games at guard last season before being cut at the end of training camp. If Silatolu can’t play at Green Bay, Scott could be called up.
