Panthers Terminate Contract of Former 1,000-Yard WR

The Carolina Panthers have waived wide receiver Roc Taylor, the team announced Saturday as it began trimming its roster ahead of Sunday’s 6 p.m. deadline to reach the 53-man limit.

Taylor was among seven players cut in the first wave of moves, a group that also included fellow receiver Elijah Cooks.

Taylor signed with Carolina on Aug. 4 after spending time with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2025, then bouncing through the UFL’s Columbus Aviators and a brief CFL stint with the Ottawa Redblacks.

The 6-foot-2, 213-pound receiver from Oxford, Alabama, was competing for a depth role in a crowded Panthers wide receiver room.

At Memphis, Taylor put together two strong seasons. In 2023 he caught 69 passes for 1,083 yards and four touchdowns, earning second-team All-AAC honors.

He followed that with 66 receptions for 950 yards as a senior. Those numbers made him an intriguing developmental piece, but they were not enough to survive the final roster crunch in Charlotte.

The Panthers still have dozens of additional cuts to make. Coach Dave Canales has described the receiver decisions as particularly difficult given the depth the team assembled this offseason.

Taylor’s release, like several others Saturday, reflects the harsh arithmetic of getting from a 90-man camp roster down to 53 players plus a practice squad.

Taylor, 23, remains a free agent and could draw interest from other clubs looking for size and production on the practice squad or as a late camp addition. For now, his latest NFL opportunity with the Panthers has ended after less than a month.

The team waived defensive tackles Kyon Barrs and Tywone Malone, running back Miles Davis, and tight end Caden Prieskorn in the same announcement.

Veteran tackle Ryan Hayes was waived-injured, and receiver Dan Chisena was released from injured reserve with a settlement. More moves are expected Sunday as Carolina finalizes its opening-day roster.

Taylor’s college production, especially that 1,083-yard season in 2023, showed he can win contested catches and produce after the catch. Translating that to the NFL has proven harder.

His next chance will likely come on another team’s practice squad or in a spring league, where he will again try to prove he belongs on a 53-man roster.