CHARLOTTE -- The Carolina Panthers ran out of patience with Ryne Robinson's slow recovery from a preseason knee injury Wednesday, placing the kick returner on injured reserve and ending his season.
The Panthers signed former Wake Forest receiver and Charlotte native Kenneth Moore off Detroit's practice squad to take Robinson's roster spot.
Robinson sprained his left knee in training camp July 31. After missing all the preseason, he practiced on a limited basis the past several weeks but has not been active for a game.
Moore was stunned when he got the call from the hometown Panthers.
"To think you can be going back home it's like, wow," said Moore, who played at Butler. "I couldn't believe it. I'm here and I'm excited about it. It's good to be with guys I used to see on TV. I can actually talk to them now."
After setting Wake Forest records with 98 receptions for 1,011 yards last season, Moore was the Lions' fifth-round draft pick. But Moore was among Detroit's final cuts before the regular season and was signed to the practice squad.
He'll also get another chance to play at Bank of America Stadium, where he ended his college career in December by catching 11 passes for 112 yards and was voted MVP in Wake Forest's Meineke Bowl win over Connecticut.
HACKETT SIDELINED: Receiver D.J. Hackett is expected to miss Sunday's game against Tampa Bay after he sprained his knee against Kansas City.
Hackett did not practice Wednesday and coach John Fox used the "week to week" designator for his injury.
Hackett, signed to a two-year, $3.5 million free-agent deal in the offseason, has 10 catches for 131 yards.
EXTRA POINTS: DT Darwin Walker (thigh) and S Quinton Teal (ankle) missed practice, while LB Na'il Diggs (foot) was limited. ... QB Matt Moore practiced without restrictions as he nears a complete recovery from a broken bone in his leg. ... With Buccaneers QB Brian Griese (elbow, shoulder) questionable Sunday, the Panthers were preparing for Griese and backup Jeff Garcia.
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