The Carolina Panthers, handcuffed by salary-cap issues, made a modest addition today that could pay off this season.

Wide receiver/returner Ted Ginn Jr. has signed a one-year contract with Carolina, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Ginn adds an explosive nature to the return game and it will be interesting to see if he can crack the rotation of wide receivers that is lacking depth.

“The interesting thing about Ted is he gives us some depth at wide receiver who can challenge for playing time opportunity,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said on Wednesday, according to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer. But also he's got special teams value, which is big.

“He's an explosive guy coming off the line of scrimmage, too. So there's some huge pluses for us as far as hoping to be able to bring a guy like that into the fold.”

Ginn has six career touchdowns on returns in his career. With any luck, maybe he can be a situational player on offense too.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune