The Carolina Panthers have signed linebacker Kelvin Smith off their practice squad and placed linebacker Thomas Davis on season-ending injured reserve.

Smith's promotion Tuesday comes two days after Davis tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a loss to New Orleans.

Smith was drafted by Miami in the seventh round in 2007. He played in four games as a rookie before spending last season on injured reserve with a knee injury. Smith was waived early in training camp by the New York Giants, then signed by Carolina when Davis was sidelined with a knee injury.

The Panthers waived Smith in final cuts before signing him to the practice squad. He'll provide depth behind Landon Johnson, who is expected to replace Davis in the starting lineup.