CHARLOTTE — The Panthers made a number of adjustments to the active roster prior to leaving for Washington Saturday.
The team signed defensive tackle T.J. Smith to the active roster from the practice squad, and activated cornerback Dane Jackson from injured reserve.
Jackson was signed this offseason to start at cornerback opposite Jaycee Horn.
The former Bills seventh-rounder (when Panthers GM Dan Morgan was working in Buffalo) has played in 52 games with 28 career starts. A hamstring injury in training camp kept him from making his Panthers debut, but he's practiced the last two weeks.
The 27-year-old Smith has appeared in seven career games in the league during stints with the Chargers, Vikings, and Panthers (he's played in two games this season). He adds depth up front with defensive end A'Shawn Robinson out this week and Derrick Brown on injured reserve.
The team also brought up outside linebacker Shaq Lawson and linebacker Shaquille Quarterman from the practice squad by standard elevation for Week 7.
Lawson, a former first-round pick of the Bills and Clemson product, adds depth to the pass rush since Jadeveon Clowney is doubtful for this week. Quarterman helps stabilize the inside linebacker corps since Josey Jewell, Claudin Cherelus, and Jon Rhattigan are out this week, and Shaq Thompson is on IR, leaving Chandler Wooten and rookie starter Trevin Wallace.
To make room for the moves, the Panthers released veteran cornerback Troy Hill and waived rookie center Andrew Raym on Saturday.
The 33-year-old Hill had been a regular as their nickel since arriving last season.
He's appeared in 22 games with five starts during that time.
With Jackson's return, they're fully staffed at the position, and they have also used rookie cornerback Chau Smith-Wade more in recent weeks, and he's worked as a nickel as well.
Raym, an undrafted rookie from Oklahoma, appeared in one game on special teams.
The Panthers also downgraded safety Sam Franklin Jr. and defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy to out for Sunday's game. They just finished the first week of their 21-day window to return from injured reserve.
View photos from the Panthers' practice as the team prepares to take on the Washington Commanders.
