Kenjon Barner, Panthers agree to contract

Former Philadelphia Eagles running back and punt returner Kenjon Barner is signing with the Carolina Panthers, according to a report from NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

Barner returns to the team that selected him with a sixth round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. The Panthers recently lost veteran rusher Fozzy Whittaker to an ACL tear so they needed depth.

The Eagles originally acquired Barner in a trade with the Panthers back in 2014. He remained with Philadelphia until signing with the Chargers last season. Los Angeles released him in final cuts, however, and he ended up back on the Eagles’ roster after Darren Sproles suffered season-ending injuries last September.

Here’s what we wrote about Barner in our end-of-year running back review.

Regular season stats: 16 carries, 57 rushing yards, 4.4 average, 1 rushing TD, 5 receptions, 56 receiving yards, 0 receiving TD, 3 fumbles

Review: The Eagles didn’t bother tendering Barner as a restricted free agent last offseason. He then became unrestricted and signed with the Chargers, but they waived him in final cuts. The Eagles brought Barner back after Sproles got hurt since they needed a punt returner. He gave the Eagles exactly what you’d expect out of a fourth-string running back.

Outlook: Barner is a free agent and probably won’t be back.

Barner was a competent depth piece for the Eagles. Philly is already loaded at running back, though, so there was no sense in bringing him back.

Best wishes in Carolina, Kenjon.

(NOTE: This signing does not help the Eagles’ compensatory pick formula since it’s after May 8. Plus the deal is probably minimum value anyway.)