The Carolina Panthers need help at free safety and Torrey Smith wants them to consider Eric Reid.

"I think we all know why he hasn't received a call," Smith said.

In 2016, Reid joined Colin Kaepernick in kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial equality and police brutality.

Reid became a free agent this past offseason and remains unsigned although several teams have lost a starting safety to injury.

Smith called Reid, a 2013 Pro Bowl selection, a "great leader" and one of the "best men that I know."

"Honestly, with our injuries, I hope he ends up here," Smith said. "I know how he is as a talent. If this is something where they come and talk to me about him, I'll be glad to talk about him as a player, as a person. He's one of the best men I've been around, so I hope that is something that can happen for us because I know that with the injuries we have, he's a guy that can help this team.

"I really hope he gets a shot. He deserves it, and it's not right what's happened to him."