The Carolina Panthers are trying to see what'll stick at the cornerback position—and absolutely no one should blame them.
As announced on Friday, the team has signed fourth-year corner Jakorian Bennett to the practice squad. The 26-year-old was brought in for a visit on Thursday after being waived by the Philadelphia Eagles two days prior.
A standout during his time at Hutchinson Community College (2018 to 2019) and the University of Maryland (2020 to 2022), Bennett was selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. He'd make 11 starts over 24 games for the Raiders, recording 58 combined tackles and 11 passes defensed through the 2024 campaign.
Las Vegas would then trade Bennett to Philadelphia in exchange for defensive
lineman Thomas Booker IV in August of 2025. Bennett went in to appear in 11 games with one start for the Eagles.
Bennett began the 2026 regular season on injured reserve due to a knee injury and had his practice window opened in October.
With injuries to Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, Akayleb Evans and Will Lee III, the Panthers have had to dig deep at the cornerback position. With Bennett, and the corresponding release of Zion Childress, Carolina now has a total of five cornerbacks on their practice squad.
Carolina also announced the addition of former University of Illinois linebacker Dele Harding, who will serve as a defensive assistant. Harding was with the Dallas Cowboys as a quarterbacks fellowship coach in 2025 and the New Orleans Saints this past summer as part of the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers add another CB and another defensive coach on Friday
