Report: Carolina Panthers sign DL Marquis Haynes to strengthen pass rush

The Carolina Panthers (1-3) have signed veteran defensive lineman Marquis Haynes to their practice squad, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reported Friday.

It's a familiar home for Haynes, who has spent all six of his seasons in the in Carolina. Haynes, 30, signed with the Arizona Cardinals (1-3) on Aug. 6, but was waived three days later. The Panthers released cornerback Justin Hardee from the practice squad to make room for Haynes.

Haynes, the 2018 fourth round pick out of Ole Miss , appeared in 71 games during his first tenure with the Panthers. He compiled 99 tackles (63 solo), 14.0 sacks and 27 quarterback hits. Haynes tallied a career-high 5.0 sacks and 29 tackles (20 solo) in 2022. He battled a back injury throughout the 2023 campaign which limited him to just seven games. Haynes logged 16 tackles (13 solo), one sack and two quarterback hits.

He returns to help out a Panthers pass rush which has struggled to generate much pressure in the first four games of the season. Carolina has just five sacks, defensive tackle Jayden Peevy leading the way with 1.5.

Panthers bolster depth after string of defensive injuries

A year removed from owning the league's fourth-ranked defense, the Panthers sit 27th in total defense, allowing 358.0 yards per game. Carolina has surrendered 32.3 points per game, the most in the NFL.

Already without star defensive tackle Derrick Brown (knee), the Panthers lost linebacker Shaq Thompson for the remainder of the season in last Sunday's 34-24 Week 4 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals (1-3). Thomspon suffered a season-ending torn Achilles against Cincinnati.

Thompson, a five-time team captain, is a massive loss in the middle of Carolina's defense.

"I'm just sick for Shaq," head coach Dave Canales said Sunday. "A guy that really just cares so much, plays with so much passion, a vocal leader, somebody who's had my back through this process as I get my feet underneath me as a first-time head coach."