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Ryne Robinson, who returned kickoffs and punts for the Carolina Panthers in 2007, was released Monday.
Robinson was also trying to win the team's No.4 receiver spot. He missed the 2008 season with a knee injury and came to training camp in August along with several players competing for those three positions.
The kick-returner's job appears to have been won by rookie Mike Goodson. Kenneth Moore and Captain Munnerlyn are competing for the punt-return spot.
Fox also said the team released defensive lineman Lorenzo Williams and offensive tackle Gerald Cadogen, and placed guard C.J. Davis on injured reserve. They have one more player to release today in order to reach the NFL's roster limit of 75.
They'll make more cuts by Saturday to reach the 53-man limit for the regular season.
Robinson caught two passes for 22 yards in the Panthers' first three exhibitions. He returned three kickoffs for a 19-yard average and muffed the only punt he attempted to return against the Miami Dolphins.
“This gives (Robinson) an opportunity to, a little bit earlier, to seek employment elsewhere,” said Panthers coach John Fox. “This game has its ups and downs. It's unfortunate. I told him I appreciated him and appreciated his efforts.”
It's a week Fox never looks forward to.
“That's one of the crummy parts about this job,” he said. “You spend a lot of times with these guys. A lot of these guys have been with us for even years, in some cases, and at least since the offseason. You do get close to them.
“They work hard. They give everything they've got. Sometimes it doesn't work out here, but it could end up working out somewhere else. That's never a fun time for any coach.”
Notes
The injury list was long Monday: Not practicing were running back Jonathan Stewart (Achilles), safety Charles Godfrey (hand), linebacker Jon Beason (knee), cornerback Sherrod Martin (knee), running back Decori Birmingham (head), cornerback Dante Wesley (head) and safety Nate Salley (knee).
Fox said Stewart was excused for personal reasons.
Fox indicated the starters would likely play one or two series Thursday in the team's preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Bank of America Stadium.
The starters didn't play in last season's final exhibition, also against the Steelers at Heinz Field.
“(It won't be) extended play,” Fox said. “In fact, if they go, that'll be the amount. We've got to take a look at where we are medically. We've had our share of injuries at this point.
“We'll just evaluate that day to day and make the decision as we get closer to game time.”
Robinson's departure increases the chances of Moore – who played at Butler High and Wake Forest – of making the team.
Like Robinson, Moore hopes his versatility as a returner and receiver helps him.
“I don't know what my spot on the team is yet,” said Moore. “They still have a lot of cuts to go. Thirty-one other teams have spots for wide receivers, too.”
The Panthers picked up Moore last season from the Detroit Lions, who took him in the fifth round of the 2008 draft then placed him on their practice squad. He was inactive for the 11 games he was with the Panthers.
