41 Kenjon Barner RB

The Patriots signed Barner on Tuesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Barner will likely play a depth role at running back, but is more likely to make an impact as a punt returner. While Patrick Chung is the current Patriot in that role, Barner could potentially get some looks.

Barner was cut by the Panthers on Friday, Joe Person of The Athletic Carolina reports.

Barner pieced together a decent showing during the preseason, but Cameron Artis-Payne, who outplayed him in the finale, appears to have secured the No. 3 spot on the Panthers' depth chart. Barner could be a strong candidate to latch on as a depth option with another club given his returning abilities in addition to being a capable depth back.

Barner rushed six times for 16 yards during Thursday's preseason finale against the Steelers. He also secured four of five targets for 27 yards receiving.

Barner has had his moments this preseason, but he was outperformed in this one by Cameron Artis-Payne, who represents Barner's primary competition for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart. There's a chance the Panthers keep both of these runners on the depth chart in advance of Week 1, but it wouldn't be a complete shock if Barner was let go in order to make room for another roster spot at cornerback or linebacker. After all, Barner's skills as a return man won't be moving the needle given the talent Carolina has in Damiere Byrd, D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel.

Barner is signing with the Panthers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Barner entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick with the Panthers in 2013, but he's made 37 of his 45 regular-season appearances in a Philadelphia uniform, mostly serving as a return specialist and No. 4 back. He'll have a nice opportunity to make the 53-man roster in Carolina, where Fozzy Whittaker recently suffered a season-ending knee injury during offseason workouts. Barner, Cameron Artis-Payne and Elijah Hood will compete for backfield slotting behind the leading duo of Christian McCaffrey and C.J. Anderson.

Barner is visiting the Bills on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Barner spent the past three seasons in Philadelphia, where he had 71 carries and 19 catches in 36 regular-season games. The majority of his 2017 touches came in the return game, which likely would be his ticket to earning a roster spot in Buffalo, though the might also get a shot to compete with Travaris Cadet for a small pass-catching role.