Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert will miss at least six weeks recovering from a hairline left leg fracture after being placed on injured reserve/designated for return.

Tolbert’s roster spot was filled by linebacker D.J. Smith, who signed with the team Tuesday. Tolbert is eligible to return Week 13 when the Panthers play the Minnesota Vikings.

Since following head coach Ron Rivera from San Diego in free agency, Tolbert has played all 35 games. He had 10 carries for 14 yards in three games and was injured in Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Smith was a sixth-round pick of the Packers in 2011. Smith, who attended Appalachian State and is a Charlotte native, played in 22 games with nine starts for the Packers in 2011 and 2012 and played in one game for the Houston Texans last season.

He could spell linebacker Thomas Davis, who has a leg injury, this week against the Ravens.