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Panthers put Richie Brockel on IR to add cornerback depth

Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers

CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 08: Ty Powell #57 and Jimmy Gaines #45 of the Buffalo Bills tackle Richie Brockel #47 of the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on August 8, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Buffalo won 20-18. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

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The roster calls him a tight end, but Richie Brockel has played a little fullback.

So it’s probably fair to include him in the decimation of the Panthers backfield.

The Panthers placed the versatile Brockel on season-ending IR with an ankle injury Tuesday. To fill his roster spot, they signed cornerback James Dockery.

Dockery has spent time with the Panthers the last two seasons, and was cut after training camp this year. He joins a secondary that was also hit by injuries last week, with starter Josh Norman suffering a concussion and nickel Bene Benwikere an ankle injury.

Brockel’s probably best remembered for his “Annexation of Puerto Rico” touchdown against the Texans in 2011, but was a versatile blocker for the Panthers, which they could scarcely afford to lose.