The Carolina Panthers have decided on a kicker, one day after their final preseason game
The Carolina Panthers are moving on from kicker Joey Slye.
The Panthers released Slye on Saturday afternoon, just hours after the kicker missed a 49-yard field goal in the team’s preseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Panthers made the decision to stick with Ryan Santoso, at least for now, whom the team acquired in a trade with the New York Giants on Thursday. The Giants will receive the Panthers’ seventh-round pick from trading left tackle Greg Little to the Miami Dolphins if Santoso is on the roster for two regular-season games.
“We had seen enough to know that he was the guy we wanted to bring in here for a few days and see if he’s the right guy for us,” coach Matt Rhule said. “For him to get off the plane basically, with a whole new operation, and make a 52-yarder, I thought that showed tremendous moxie from him.”
Santoso, 26, received more opportunities last night after making a 52-yard kick. He made both of his field goal attempts and successfully made three PATs.
Slye missed a field goal in each of the team’s preseason games and had a difficult practice Wednesday afternoon, making only 2 of 5 kicks. Slye is known for his strong leg, but struggled from the extreme distances the Panthers had him attempt during the 2020 season, going 1 of 6 from 50-plus yards. Slye, 25, made 79.4% of field goals as a Panther and 90.1% of PATs.
The Panthers have to get their roster down to 53 by 4 p.m. Tuesday, but releasing Slye a couple of days early will give him extra time to potentially find a new team.
On Saturday afternoon, the team also moved on from six other players. They waived tackle Martez Ivey, wide receiver Ishmael Hyman, linebacker Paddy Fisher and linebacker Jonathan Celestin, and released safety Doug Middleton. Running back Darius Clark (knee) was waived/injured. The roster stands at 71.
This story was originally published August 28, 2021 at 12:43 PM.
