CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- One player the Carolina Panthers are hoping will help turn around their season has worn his game pants to practice every day since he was signed in July.

There’s just one catch.

Cornerback Leonard Johnson wasn’t practicing or preparing for a game until Tuesday. He was working on the side with the trainer, rehabbing an Achilles injury that forced him to begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform/Non Football Injury list.

Whether he was riding the stationary bike or pulling a sled, Johnson wore the game pants instead of practice gear like the rest of his teammates.

So it seemed only fitting that while his teammates were in shorts, he wore them again on Tuesday, his first official practice.

“Every day I wanted to come to work, and every time I put these pants on it’s just a glimpse of me stepping into a game-like situation,” Johnson said before the Panthers broke for their bye-week break. “So I want to have the same mentality -- practice and game the same. So I wear the game pants every day.”

The pants have been a symbol of sorts for Johnson. The 5-foot-10, 202-pound Florida native has become somewhat of an inspiration to the 1-5 Panthers.

The secondary has been such a disaster that teammates are looking for any kind of spark that could help turn around their season as they begin practicing today for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.

“I can bring a spark,” Johnson said. “I think we’re just one play away from turning this whole thing around. Collectively, we’re doing a great job right now. We’ve just got to put together some pieces and all the pieces of the puzzle will come together.”

Johnson won’t fix everything that is wrong with the Panthers, but he could be a part of the solution. He was signed to bring experience to the nickel position, where from 2012-14 with Tampa Bay he had five interceptions, five forced fumbles, 20 passes broken up and two touchdowns.

He played in four games, starting three, for New England last season after being released by the Buccaneers following a broken leg during the preseason.

He had Achilles surgery performed in March by Charlotte’s Dr. Robert Anderson, because it was bothering him.

Johnson said he’s “full-bore’’ now.

“The doctor told me he doesn’t know I’ve been playing with that the last four years,’’ he said. “So if I did it those [things the] last four years, I can do it with the problem being fixed.

“It just feels amazing, man.”

The Panthers likely won’t decide whether to activate Johnson to the 53-man roster until Friday. To expect him to make an immediate impact against Arizona might be too much to ask.

But adding Johnson to the mix with the expected return of starting cornerbacks James Bradberry (toe) and Robert McClain (hamstring) will help bring stability to a group that has given up too many passing yards -- 503 to Atlanta’s Matt Ryan and 465 to New Orleans’ Drew Brees -- in two of the last three games.

The Panthers also could get back starting left tackle Michael Oher (concussion) and defensive tackle Vernon Butler (ankle).

But Johnson’s return, because of his experience at an inexperienced position, could be the most valuable.

“We think he can help us,’’ Carolina coach Ron Rivera said. “We did some things that played to his strengths, and he handled it very well.’’

The Panthers patched the nickel position together the past two games after McClain moved to the every-down corner spot to replace Bene’ Benwikere, who was released.

They were so thin there against New Orleans that outside linebacker Shaq Thompson filled that role.

So maybe a player who has been wearing game pants for two and a half months can actually help in a game.

“It's amazing to be able to have another opportunity and to be able to get out there with a group of guys I’ve been with since July 13,’’ Johnson said. “It felt amazing just to fly around and be able to have fun and play football again. It’s very exciting.’’