CHARLOTTE — The Panthers loved what Jordan Matthews did all offseason, so they brought him back to the 53-man roster.

The team signed the veteran tight end from the practice squad to the active roster Thursday, along with some practice squad moves.

The 32-year-old Matthews gives them depth they could need as soon as next week's opener since Tommy Tremble (hamstring) and Ian Thomas (calf) are dealing with injuries. Tremble said Wednesday he expected to play, but Thomas wasn't on the practice field. The only other tight end on the roster prior to Matthews' addition was rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales raved about Matthews' intangibles upon adding him to the practice squad. He was a record-setting wide receiver at Vanderbilt and a second-round pick of the Eagles in 2014, but he added weight and made the transition to a new position late in his career.

"What a great achievement for Jordan, to really redefine his career as a tight end, to be reliable, to make plays for us in the preseason games, all camp," Canales said. "He was out there every day, and we've had our tight ends, we got nicked early, and Jordan stepped up to be the guy he is, from a special teams standpoint. On top of that, from a leadership standpoint, he had to fight through the little things that he was dealing with to continue to be available.

"And to show guys what it looks like to get out early, to do your body prep, you're crazy about the nutrition, the studying and all that. The professionalism, really."

To make room for Matthews on the 53, the team placed rookie defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy on injured reserve. He'll be out for at least four weeks but can return later this year.

The Panthers also added four new players to the practice squad Thursday as they continue to put together a roster for the regular season.

The team signed cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr., outside linebacker Thomas Incoom, outside linebacker Tarron Jackson, and tight end Feleipe Franks.

The 28-year-old Johnson fits the profile of what they've added lately in corners (size), and has experience in the league, with 68 games played and 19 starts in five seasons with the Texans, Titans, and Saints. He could be an immediate help on special teams.

Incoom, 25, spent last season with the Broncos after making the team as an undrafted free agent, appearing in four games.

Jackson, 26, was a sixth-round pick of the Eagles in 2021, and has spent the last three seasons there between the active roster and practice squad, appearing in 21 games.

Franks was signed here during training camp to fill in during a rash of tight end injuries and made a good impression. The former University of Florida quarterback spent the previous three seasons with the Falcons.

Wednesday, they signed Matthews, running back Mike Boone, safety Alex Cook, linebacker Chandler Wooten, defensive linemen T.J. Smith and Walter Palmore, outside linebacker Kenny Dyson, guard Mason Brooks, and quarterback Jack Plummer to the practice squad.

The moves get the Panthers to 12 on the practice squad. Teams can sign up to 16 players to the practice squad, in addition to one international exemption.