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There is no question the Carolina Panthers are in the market for a few new players – likely at least one defensive tackle and a punt returner.
The Panthers waived 23 players Saturday and placed rookie defensive tackle Corvey Irvin on injured reserve, reducing their roster to 51 – two below the NFL's 53-player roster limit.
"We had some areas where we're short," said general manager Marty Hurney. "So we've got two roster spots to fill when the time comes." That time is noon today, when the league releases its waivers list.
The Panthers, who open their regular season Sept. 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of America Stadium, will no doubt be looking at defensive linemen. In releasing rookies Marlon Favorite and George Hypolite, they're down to three defensive tackles – Damione Lewis, Louis Leonard and Nick Hayden.
That's a spot where Carolina is extremely vulnerable, with starting nose tackle Maake Kemoeatu gone for the season with a torn Achilles. None of the five potential replacements for Kemoeatu's spot made a strong step forward to claim it during a winless preseason.
Hurney said he didn't know if the Panthers would pursue a young tackle or one with more experience.
"It just depends," he said. "We have to be open minded. We'll see what comes out (today). But experience would be good."
The Panthers probably are also in the market for a punt returner. Shaky performances in the preseason by three candidates – Kenneth Moore, Captain Munnerlyn and Beavers – would make that another priority.
One possibility might be Mark Jones, cut by the Tennessee Titans on Friday. Jones returned punts and kicks for the Panthers in 2008, but has been troubled by injured hamstring in the preseason.
Other defensive players waived Saturday were end Casper Brinkley; linebackers Kelvin Smith, Mortty Ivy, Jeremy Leman and Anthony Heygood; and defensive backs D.J. Clark, Paul Chiara and Joe Fields.
Offensive players waived were: Running backs Decori Birmingham and Jamall Smith; receivers Jason Chery, Larry Beavers, Kevin McMahan and Marcus Monk; quarterback Hunter Cantwell; tight end Andrew Davie; and offensive linemen Keith Gray, Jonathan Palmer and Patrick Brown.
The Panthers also cut two veterans with at least four years experience: Offensive lineman Justin Geisinger and defensive back Kevin Kaesviharn. They don't have to clear waivers to be signed by another team.
If any of the waived players are not claimed by other teams, the Panthers can re-sign them to their eight-man practice squad.
Hurney said trimming the roster to 51 players will allow the Panthers to move quickly when they find a player they want to sign. They won't have to cut other players to make room.
"What you're doing is going in with a mindset," he said. "You're looking at certain players and considering them. That's where the flexibility (we have) comes in."
Irvin, the team's third-round draft choice out of Georgia, tore the medial collateral ligament in his knee in Thursday's exhibition against Pittsburgh and will miss the season.
David Scott: 704-358-5889; Twitter: @davidscott14
