Jones fails physical in attempt to return to Panthers

By Darin Gantt - daringantt@carolina.rr.com

CHARLOTTE -- The Carolina Panthers' plan to bring back return man Mark Jones hit a snag Monday, when he failed his physical because of a previous hamstring problem.

The injury limited him throughout the preseason with Tennessee, but he played in the exhibition finale before he was released in final cuts. He flew to Charlotte on Sunday night, and said he expected to sign Monday if everything went as planned.

But tests revealed the hamstring problem, and he headed back to his offseason home in Nashville to rehab and get ready for another shot.

Jones said the issue wasn't serious — “I'm not worried about it,” he said — and should only take “about another week,” to recover from.

The Panthers wouldn't comment on the visit or the physical, and, asked if the free agent courtship would continue, Jones' agent Brian Levy said they were going to “play it by ear.”

In the short term, the Panthers would likely turn to either wide receiver Kenny Moore or cornerback Captain Munnerlyn to return kicks. Both had problems handling punts during the preseason, which is why Jones was in Charlotte on Monday to begin with.

The 28-year-old Jones came to the Panthers last year under similar circumstances, having been cut by San Diego. He went on to have a quietly successful year, averaging 24.0 yards per kickoff and 11.4 yards per punt return, which was the second-highest season average in franchise history.

PRACTICE SQUAD MOVES — The Panthers signed two more to the practice squad, getting center Dustin Fry (Clemson, Browns camp) and cornerback Marcus Walker (Oklahoma, Vikings camp).

That leaves one spot to fill, a move which will likely be finalized today when they return to practice.

They previously signed quarterback Hunter Cantwell, wide receiver Jason Chery, defensive tackle George Hypolite and linebackers Mortty Ivy and Kelvin Smith, all of whom had been part of their final cuts.