Panthers sign Jones for return duties
CHARLOTTE -- The Carolina Panthers found their return man Monday, and they'll take him back to his previous home this weekend.
The Panthers signed wide receiver Mark Jones, who spent most of his career in Tampa Bay but this summer in San Diego's camp.
The 27-year-old Jones has career averages of 24.8 yards per kickoff return and 8.7 yards per punt return. He averaged 24.7 and 13.0, respectively, for the Chargers this preseason, but they let him go in favor of letting running back Darren Sproles handle those duties.
Jones, whose 2007 season was ended with a knee injury, has fared well against the Panthers. In four games, he returned 12 punts for 166 yards (13.8 per), though he only had one kickoff return, a 19-yarder against them.
He could be a short-term rental, as they're hoping to get Ryne Robinson back later this month from his training-camp knee injury.
To make room for him on the active roster, they released wide receiver Dominique Thompson.
• PRACTICE SQUAD FINALIZED: The Panthers signed three more players to round out their practice squad. They brought back fullback Billy Latsko, who was with them last year but signed with Pittsburgh in the offseason. Also signed were defensive end Angelo Craig (Cincinnati's seventh-round pick this year) and wide receiver Titus Ryan, who has spent time in Kansas City and New Orleans camps.
They announced the first five Sunday, bringing back their own draft picks defensive tackle Nick Hayden and offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, along with safety Joe Fields, wide receiver William Buchanon and running back DeCori Birmingham.
• EXTRA POINTS: Quarterback Brett Basanez, who was cut Saturday after the acquisition of Josh McCown, might be closing in on another job. He's working out for Jacksonville today, and New Orleans has also shown interest. ...
Recently waived wide receiver Chris Hannon signed with San Francisco's practice squad Monday. ...
Guard Evan Mathis, who started 15 games for the Panthers in 2006 but was released Saturday, nearly found a new home. Cincinnati put in a claim on him Sunday, but also on Detroit guard Frank Davis. Since the league uses a priority system for such claims and the Bengals had listed Davis as their first preference, Mathis is still looking for work. Mathis worked out for New England on Monday, but was not signed.
This story was originally published September 2, 2008 at 12:27 AM with the headline "Panthers sign Jones for return duties."