A day after the Carolina Panthers improved to 11-0, they went to work on patching up one of their holes.

Looking for help at nickel corner, the Panthers brought in a few players for a Friday workout that, according to a league source, included Cortland Finnegan. The former Titans, Rams and Dolphins cornerback announced his retirement in March, but apparently never filed paperwork with the league.

Finnegan, 31, is infamous for his on-field fight with Texans receiver Andre Johnson in 2010, the same year Finnegan was voted the NFL's Dirtiest Player.

The Panthers shy away from guys who could cause a stir in the locker room, and they'll be especially careful not to disturb chemistry during their special season. So if they sign Finnegan, you'd have to assume they believe he's mostly just someone who's really good at getting under people's skin.

Finnegan played mostly on the outside during his nine seasons, but he does have some experience inside.

With Charles Tillman missing the past two games with a knee injury, the Panthers have been forced to move Bené Benwikere from the slot to outside corner. His replacement, Colin Jones, has struggled.

Jones' most glaring error was DeSean Jackson's 56-yard touchdown for the Redskins, but as coach Ron Rivera reminded reporters multiple times this week, Jones slipped on the play. Yet according to Pro Football Focus, Jones has allowed 12 receptions on 12 targets for 114 yards and two touchdowns the past two weeks.

Even when Tillman returns, the Panthers plan to continue spelling him with Benwikere. So the search is on to shore up the slot.

 

(UPDATE: Friday, Nov. 27, 4:40 p.m. - According to ESPN's Field Yates, 2010 Panthers seventh-round pick Robert McClain and former Eagle Bradley Fletcher also worked out.)