Chris Ogbonnaya to Panthers: Latest Contract Details, Analysis and Reaction

A thinning backfield has forced the Carolina Panthers to seek outside help through free agency. On Monday, the team signed versatile veteran running back Chris Ogbonnaya to add depth.    

The Panthers' official Twitter account captured the moment as Ogbonnaya was putting pen to paper:

After spending nearly three seasons with the Cleveland Browns, Ogbonnaya didn't make the final roster due to the emergence of Browns rookie ball-carriers Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell.

Even with Ogbonnaya's status in Cleveland uncertain amid the 2014 preseason, he didn't express too much worry and had a rather mature outlook on the situation.

"I don't worry about that stuff," said Ogbonnaya, per Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot. "I've played long enough to understand anything can happen. At the same time I have to come to work each day with the mentality that I'm the starter at whatever position it may be."

The last snippet of that quote is key. Brendan Leister of DraftBrowns.com weighed in on Carolina's acquisition:

In addition to recording 48 receptions for 343 yards and two touchdowns in 2013, Ogbonnaya averaged a strong 4.9 yards per carry on 49 attempts. Furthermore, he was often deployed as a fullback, showcasing his exceptional versatility.

Panthers standout Mike Tolbert is a similar type of player, albeit a bit shorter and stockier in his build. That makes Ogbonnaya an ideal, all-purpose player to fill the void created by the Panthers' injuries.

Tolbert and Jonathan Stewart were out of the lineup for Week 4's 38-10 loss at Baltimore, and DeAngelo Williams was ineffective with 11 carries for 34 yards before picking up another injury. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport provided a discouraging bit of information on Williams' status moving forward:

Quarterback Cam Newton, usually a dual-threat dynamo as the catalyst for Carolina's offense, is banged up himself and doesn't have the same playmaking ability with his feet.

Despite the need to learn a completely new playbook on the fly, there is a strong chance Ogbonnaya sees significant time in the Panthers' Week 5 showdown with the Chicago Bears at home.

Newton needs a more balanced attack since he's mostly confined to the pocket at the moment. Ogbonnaya can help the effort. Carolina needs a spark of some kind, as the momentum of a 2-0 start has been sapped by two straight losses in which the Panthers have been outscored 75-29.