Harper made three solo tackles and an interception in Sunday's tie with the Bengals.

Harper has now nabbed an interception in consecutive games, bringing his season total to three through just six appearances. So while Harper's 20 tackles on the campaign might underwhelm, his ball-hawking ability is certainly of value to fantasy owners.

Harper (toe) is not listed on the Panthers' injury report in advance of Sunday's regular season opener against the Buccaneers.

Harper missed the beginning of the preseason while dealing with turf toe, but returned to practice a couple weeks ago. With Robert Lester being released, Harper will start at strong safety next to Thomas DeCoud in Carolina's new-look, veteran safety tandem.

Harper (toe) returned to practice Sunday, Panthers.com reports.

Harper has been out for several weeks while recovering from turf toe, so joining his new teammates in Sunday's practice is certainly a welcomed sight with the regular season quickly approaching. At the moment, it's unclear whether the Panthers' offseason signing will factor into Thursday's preseason finale, but his experience should allow him to play in Week 1, even if he misses a fourth exhibition outing. Health permitting, the veteran's presence should help Carolina at strong safety, where second-year player Robert Lester has received considerable action thus far.

Harper (toe) won't play in Friday's preseason game versus the Patriots, the Charlotte Observer reports.

Harper's turf toe has sidelined him for the entire preseason slate thus far, marking the Panthers' most concerning current injury issue. Previously expected to start at strong safety, Harper's absences continues to allow second-year player Robert Lester added reps.

Harper (toe) did not play in the Panthers' second preseason game Sunday.

Harper's turf toe injury has kept him out of commission for both of the Panthers' preseason games thus far. However, given his rest period, Harper could return to practice some time this week, although Carolina is expected to be cautious with their newly signed 31-year-old safety.

Panthers agreed to terms with S Roman Harper, formerly of the Saints, on a two-year, $4.5 million contract.

The deal includes a $1.5 million signing bonus, which could be the extent of Harper's guaranteed money. Although the Panthers' safety corps is anything but settled, Harper is likely being signed with a situational role in mind, much the way he was utilized in New Orleans last season. Now 31, Harper can't cover, but is still a passable in-the-box safety.

Free agent S Roman Harper visited the Panthers Wednesday.

The Panthers are in the market for safety help after losing Mike Mitchell to the Steelers and as Charles Godfrey rehabs an Achilles' tendon tear. Harper, 31, is a two-time Pro Bowler that was released by the Saints last month after battling knee issues in 2013. He won't be expensive.

ESPN Chicago's Mike C. Wright believes free agent S Roman Harper would be a "more realistic" Bears target than T.J. Ward.

Wright is convinced the Bears simply don't see safety as a high-value position, and therefore won't break the bank on a high-dollar safety. (Ward's Twitter profile deems him the "best safety in the league doe.") Harper would still be a tough fit in Chicago, where DC Mel Tucker's defense requires both safeties to at least be functional in pass coverage. Harper is a pure box safety.

Saints released SS Roman Harper.

DE Will Smith's release cleared $11.55 million in cap space, while Harper's saves the Saints $2.18 million. Harper, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, was part of a safety rotation along with Kenny Vaccaro and Malcolm Jenkins for much of last season. He performed well in the playoffs but is 31 years old and battled a knee injury in 2013. Harper joins a crowded free-agent safety market and will likely have to settle for a one- or two-year deal with little-to-no guaranteed money.

A league source tells Profootballtalk the Saints could release SS Roman Harper and pass-rusher Will Smith as early as Wednesday.

Smith, who sports a $10.4 million base salary and $13.9 million cap number, has long been considered as good as gone. ESPN Saints blogger Mike Triplett floated Harper as a potential cap casualty in December. Now 32, Harper was ineffective across 374 snaps last season, and is set to count $3.6 million against the cap. Even at that modest price, Harper likely isn't worth bringing back.

ESPN Saints blogger Mike Triplett believes SS Roman Harper has a good chance of being a salary cap casualty in the offseason.

The Saints are scheduled to be way over the 2014 salary cap come March, so they're going to have to do plenty of trimming. Harper has missed seven games this season and is 31 years old. He's also due over $3 million in salary and bonuses next season. Pro Football Focus has graded Harper out as a below-average safety in 2013, and he's mostly been a rotational player with Kenny Vaccaro and Malcolm Jenkins.

Saints SS Roman Harper (knee) is active for Week 11 against the 49ers.

Harper's return comes as rookie S Kenny Vaccaro (concussion) sits out. It's the first time Harper has been active since Week 2. With Vaccaro sidelined, Harper should be in for a heavy dose of snaps despite the lengthy layoff.

Saints SS Roman Harper (knee) has been ruled out for Week 4.

Harper will miss his second straight game with a knee injury. Kenny Vaccaro and Malcolm Jenkins will handle all of the safety duties for Monday night's game against the Dolphins.

Saints S Roman Harper (knee) has been ruled out for Week 3 versus Arizona.

Kenny Vaccaro and Malcolm Jenkins will handle all of the safety duties against the Cardinals. Harper has been demoted to a sub-package blitzer only this year under new DC Rob Ryan. He has nine tackles and a pick in two games.

Saints SS Roman Harper (knee) did not practice Wednesday.

Harper has been dealing with the knee injury since last week, but was able to play Sunday despite being listed as questionable. He's already lost his starting job to rookie Kenny Vaccaro but will continue to see significant playing time in sub-packages.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune expects new Saints DC Rob Ryan's aggressive, attacking 3-4 defense to be a "great fit" for SS Roman Harper.

Harper made two Pro Bowls in old DC Gregg Williams' defense, and the Times-Picayune expects Ryan's to be "similar" in its approach. Harper has always been an effective blitzer and "in the box" safety, even if he typically struggles when he's not moving forward. In training camp, Harper will compete for playing time with Malcolm Jenkins and first-round pick Kenny Vaccaro.

Saints SS Roman Harper's new contract with the Saints is worth $10.5 million over three years.

They basically tore up Harper's old deal -- which put him among the NFL's ten highest paid safeties -- and are now guaranteeing only $4 million of a contract worth $3.5 million annually. Harper took a large pay cut, and none of his payments are guaranteed beyond 2013. Harper will compete for snaps with Malcolm Jenkins and Kenny Vaccaro. All three could play in three-safety sets.

Saints SS Roman Harper has agreed to an "extension" that pays him $4 million guaranteed this season.

We've air quoted "extension" because it's actually a pay-cut. Harper had been set to make $5.25 million this season, with $2.6 million of it guaranteed. The extra year, 2015, allows the Saints to stretch out bonus money and cap hits. Harper has no guaranteed money beyond 2013. Considering Harper's nightmarish 2012 play, it's not a bad deal for the 30-year-old safety.

Saints SS Roman Harper has agreed to a restructured contract.

It's been a long-time coming, but it's unclear what the sides have done. $2.6 million of Harper's $5.25 million base salary became guaranteed by virtue of remaining on the roster through March. It's possible his salary has been slashed to only the guaranteed amount. Harper's play in 2012 would certainly dictate such a move. The full details of the restructure should soon emerge.

Saints SS Roman Harper received a $2.6 million guarantee on his 2013 base salary when the team kept him on its roster through March.

Harper's full base salary is $5.25 million, but the Saints would now take a cap hit to cut him. Thursday's first-round selection of FS Kenny Vaccaro doesn't necessarily mean Harper will be released, despite rampant speculation he might be. The Saints now seem more likely to keep three safeties, perhaps starting Vaccaro and Malcolm Jenkins. Vaccaro would cover the slot in obvious passing situations, with Harper coming onto the field for a three-safety set.