Panthers release former Pro Bowl WR

With time to spare in advance of Tuesday’s deadline, the Panthers have finalized their roster moves to get to 53. Here are Carolina’s Tuesday transactions:

Released:

• LB Krys Barnes
• OLB Boogie Basham
• WR Hunter Renfrow
• LB Jon Rhattigan
• DT Shy Tuttle (story)

Waived:

• CB Shemar Bartholomew
• DE Jared Harrison-Hunte
• OL Jarrett Kingston
• LB Maz Mwansa
• TE Bryce Pierre
• WR Ja’seem Reed
• CB Michael Reid
• DT Sam Roberts
• OL Michael Tarquin
• S Trevian Thomas
• OL Brandon Walton

Waived-injured:

• G Ja’Tyre Carter

Waived via injury settlement:

• RB Raheem Blackshear

Placed on IR-designated for return:

• DE LaBryan Ray

Renfrow’s efforts to return to the NFL have been dealt a blow with Tuesday’s move. The Clemson product and South Carolina native took a one-year pact in his bid to continue his career after missing all of last season. Renfrow’s pact contained $50K guaranteed, however, and with the Panthers’ other wideouts impressing in camp, this release loomed as a possibility. A practice squad deal could be in store in the coming days, in this case, but absent an agreement on that front, the 29-year-old will seek out a new opportunity.

Carolina was among the teams that announced a list of cuts Monday in advance of Tuesday’s deadline. Among the players waived was quarterback Bryce Perkins. He will be a candidate to sign on the practice squad starting Wednesday (provided no waiver claims are made), but The Athletic’s Joe Person reports Perkins is not in the team’s plans at this point. Roberts, on the other hand, is seen as a taxi squad candidate in the event he clears (h/t Aaron Wilson of KPRC2).

Ray’s IR handling means he will miss at least the first four games of the season. Whereas players moved to IR before Tuesday are out for the season, though, Ray is among those eligible to return later in the year. Activating him will count toward Carolina’s allocation of eight for the season whenever he is back in the fold.