Panthers Announce Initial 53-Man Roster

The Panthers made the following moves today to reach the 53-player limit for the roster cut deadline:

Released:

• OL Ja’Tyre Carter
• OL Jake Curhan
• DT Elijah Garcia
• OLB Cam Gill
• TE James Mitchell
• OLB Jeremiah Moon
• WR David Moore
• CB Robert Rochell
• S Isaiah Simmons
• QB Kyle Trask (story)

Waived/injured:

• CB Tyrek Funderburk

Waived:

• OL Isaia Glass
• DT Jared Harrison-Hunte
• CB Cam Miller
• LB Maz Mwansa
• CB DeCarlos Nicholson
• LB Maema Njongmeta
• DT Parker Peterson
• WR Ja’Seem Reed
• S Demani Richardson
• C Nick Samac
• CB Devonta Smith
• OLB Isaiah Smith
• CB Corey Thornton
• RB Anthony Tyus III
• LB Trevin Wallace
• WR Casey Washington

Placed on IR (designated to return):

• RB Trevor Etienne
• LB Bam Martin-Scott

Placed on reserve/PUP:

• T Ikem Ekwonu
• DT Tershawn Wharton

Placed on reserve/NFI:

• T Taylor Moton

The NFL’s younger Etienne and Martin-Scott will miss at least the first four games of the season on injured reserve. Both starting tackles, Moton and Ekwonu, and Wharton will also be out the first four weeks, thought they’ll be able to return to practice after two.

The Panthers clearly valued the stable of tight ends they had acquired. After adding Darren Waller late, they’ll enter the season with five on the roster. Carolina’s initial 53-man roster features three undrafted rookies. Quarterback Haynes King made Trask expendable and Mississippi State offensive tackle Albert Reese is viewed as an exciting development piece alongside fifth-round center Sam Hecht. Duke rookie Aaron Hall represents the new undrafted rookies on the defensive side of the ball.

As shocking as it is to see a third-round pick getting waived before Year 3, Wallace has been uninspiring as the Panthers have been looking for him to develop into a leader in the middle of the defense. Two other defenders cut today have been identified as likely practice squad candidates. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the team is hoping Moon will be amenable to a taxi squad deal, and Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team reports that Smith, the rookie cornerback out of Notre Dame, could land an practice squad offer, as well, if he clears waivers.