The Dallas Cowboys traded offensive tackle Javiar Collins to Carolina on Tuesday for a conditional 2005 draft choice.
A free agent defensive tackle from Northwestern, the Cowboys signed Collins in 2001 and moved him to the offensive line later that season.
Collins played in 11 games with the Cowboys – nine of them at right tackle in 2002 and twice last season, mostly on special teams.
The Panthers have been searching for a right tackle ever since projected Adam Meadows retired just months after signing a five-year, $15 million contract.
The other two players at that position are Matt Willig and Melvin Tuten. Willig has been slowed by a knee injury and is expected to return to practice next week.