Panthers' shallow safety pool gets deeper with Stevie Brown addition

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Carolina Panthers added much-needed depth at safety Wednesday by signing free agent Stevie Brown to a one-year deal.

Brown was one of several safeties who worked out for the Panthers over the last four days, as the team experiences mounting injuries at the safety position behind starters Kurt Coleman and Tre Boston.

Three-time Pro Bowl selection Donte Whitner was among those who worked out with Brown on Saturday. Carolina also worked out former Tampa Bay and Chicago safety Major Wright on Tuesday.

The Panthers ultimately went with Jones with backup safety Dean Marlowe still nursing a hamstring injury that has kept him out for the past three weeks.

Brown has not played in a game since the 2014 season with the New York Giants, when he started eight games a year after missing the 2013 season with a torn ACL.

Brown's best season came for the Giants in 2012. He started 11 games, posting 66 tackles and eight interceptions for an NFL-best 307 return yards. Brown has spent time with seven teams since being selected by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round of the 2010 draft. The former Michigan player spent four days with the Panthers prior to the 2011 season.

Carolina's depth at safety was so thin that linebacker Brian Blechen played the position in an emergency role in last week's preseason game against New England.

The Panthers hoped offseason acquisition Trenton Robinson would be a contributor, but he was released on Tuesday with a pectoral injury.

Brown's signing got Carolina's roster to 75.