Confirming an earlier report from NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Carolina’s head coach Matt Rule expressed to the media on Monday that defensive back Myles Hartsfield will be lost for up to 8-12 weeks. Hartsfield suffered a severe wrist injury in Sunday’s win versus the New York Jets.
Hartsfield left the game late in the third quarter and did not return. The injury, according to coach Rhule, will likely be “a surgical matter.”
Any injury is a blow to the team. The departure of Hartsfield, especially with A.J. Bouye still serving his league-mandated suspension, will put a strain on the Panthers secondary depth. This is bad timing with the New Orleans Saints coming up in Week 2.
Hartsfield, a second-year defensive back, has been a multi-dimensional player for Rhule and defensive coordinator Phil Snow. Carolina will have to use the ‘next man up’ mentality to replace the void of Hartsfield’s production for an extended period of time during the season. Two options that are available for the Panthers are backup Stantley Thomas-Olive III and/or newly signed practice squad member Corn Elder to be players to help fill the role.
As mentioned earlier, the Panthers signed cornerback Corn Elder to the practice squad on Monday. This is not his first rodeo with the organization.
Elder was drafted four seasons ago by former Panthers GM Dave Gettleman out of the University of Miami. He was drafted in the fifth round, 152nd overall. He played three seasons with the team, totaling 43 tackles and 3 pass deflections over 30 games. Elder was waived during final roster cuts on August 30, 2019. Nearly three months later, on November 12, 2019, Elder was signed by the Carolina Panthers off the Giants’ practice squad.
The 26-year-old Elder will be playing with the franchise for the third time, after being released in 2019, reuniting with Gettleman in New York for a brief stint and testing free agency in the 2020 season.
Elder last played with the Detroit Lions in this year’s preseason and was released during the 53-man roster cut nearly two weeks ago.
Elder can provide some assistance in nickle coverage with his experience covering the slot receiver position.
