Panthers sign Jones, return specialist

By: By John Delong | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: September 02, 2008

CHARLOTTE --

The Carolina Panthers addressed their need for a kick returner yesterday by signing Mark Jones, who was released by San Diego on Saturday.

Jones, a five-year NFL veteran, will return kickoffs and punts while the Panthers are without Ryne Robinson, who suffered a knee injury early in training camp and could be out for several more weeks.

Jones averaged 28.6 yards on 10 kickoff returns and 11.9 yards on six punt returns last season with Tampa Bay before suffering a knee injury in October that shelved him for the rest of the season. He signed a one-year contract with the Chargers last winter but was terminated as a vested veteran Saturday when the team kept Darren Sproles as its return man.

"He's just a solid returner," General Manager Marty Hurney said. "He's a pro, very consistent. He was coming off knee surgery at the end of last season but he really returned well during entire preseason for them. We were hoping he would become available, and when he did we made contact early Saturday evening. He just seems like a good fit for us. He's a solid returner, and he can return kicks and punts."

Jones is also listed as a wide receiver but has never caught a pass in an NFL game. He started his career with the New York Giants and has spent the last three seasons with Tampa Bay.

He has averaged 24.8 yards on 18 career kickoff returns and 8.7 yards on 117 career punt returns.

The Panthers had already lost one possible fill-in for Robinson when Jason Carter was put on Injured Reserve with a knee injury last week. The Panthers talked about using running back Jonathan Stewart in a kickoff-return role and perhaps cornerback Chris Gamble as a punt returner, but they were reluctant to do either if they could find a competent return specialist.

To make room for Jones on their 53-man regular-season roster, the Panthers released receiver Dominique Thompson.

The Panthers also continued to sign players to their practice squad yesterday, adding defensive end Angelo Craig, fullback Billy Latsko, and receiver Titus Ryan. On Sunday, they signed five players to the practice squad that they had waived on Saturday -- defensive tackle Nick Hayden, tackle Geoff Schwartz, running back Decori Birmingham, wide receiver William Buchanon and safety Joe Fields.