Panthers HC Matt Rhule told reporters on Wednesday that they’ve designated WR Keith Kirkwood and CB Eli Apple to return from injured reserve, per Joe Person.
This opens a three-week window of time for the Panthers to activate them from injured reserve and add them to their 53-man roster.
Apple, 25, is a former first-round pick of the Giants back in 2016. He was traded to the Saints two years later for a 2019 fourth-round pick and 2020 seventh-round pick.
Apple was in the final year of his four-year, $15.152 million contract when the Saints declined to pick up his fifth-year option for the 2020 season. He made a base salary of $2.51 million for the 2019 season.
The Panthers signed Apple to a one-year deal worth $3 million this past March after he deal with the Raiders fell through.
In 2019, Apple appeared in 15 games for the Saints and recorded 58 tackles, no interceptions, a forced fumble and four pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 61 cornerback out of 113 qualifying players.
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