Panthers place Austin Corbett on PUP list, cut 22 players before 53-man limit deadline
The Panthers are slowly but surely working to get their roster down to 53 players ahead of Tuesday’s cutdown deadline.
After waiving 11 players on Saturday, the Panthers reduced their roster to 56 players on Tuesday morning by making 24 additional moves. The team has to be at the 53-man roster limit by 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Panthers still have three moves to make, but the first two waves have provided clues as to how the initial 53-man roster will shake out.
Here are thoughts on all 24 roster moves from the second wave of roster moves:
PUP/reserve list
G Austin Corbett: The team’s starting right guard was listed on the PUP/active list throughout the summer and didn’t take part in the preseason or training camp while recovering from ACL surgery. Corbett said early in camp that he wouldn’t be ready for Week 1, and now, he’ll miss at least the first four games of the season.
Injured reserve
DE Henry Anderson: The veteran defensive end suffered a foot injury during the first preseason game against the New York Jets. He missed the rest of the preseason and won’t be able to be designated to return for the season. He will need to agree to an injury settlement to be granted his release and play this season.
Cut/released
LB Brandon Smith: Last year’s fourth-round pick didn’t do much during training camp or the preseason to earn a job. He was buried behind Shaq Thompson, Frankie Luvu, Deion Jones, and Kamu Grugier-Hill throughout most of the summer.
WR Shi Smith: The former sixth-round pick made several big plays in camp and the preseason, but it never felt like he had a lock on the sixth wideout job throughout the summer. Smith never seemed to be in consideration for a returner job, and that likely played into his spot on the waiver wire. It would not be surprising to see another team claim him to fill out a wideout depth chart.
DB Eric Rowe: The versatile defensive back had an inconsistent summer. With heavy numbers in the secondary, Rowe drew the short straw on cut-down day. Rowe could be back after Week 1 when his contract won’t be guaranteed for the season.
CB Keith Taylor: The third-year cornerback seemed to rebound well this summer from a disappointing second season. While he wasn’t a world-beater during practice, he made regular plays on the ball. However, Taylor’s performance against the Lions in the finale left a lot to be desired. His draft pedigree could make him appealing on the waiver wire.
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver: After being praised for his versatility throughout the summer, Thomas-Oliver suffered an undisclosed injury during the preseason. With Troy Hill now in the secondary, Thomas-Oliver’s footing fell off in the pecking order. He will be subject to waivers.
CB Mac McCain: The late arrival to camp was injured almost immediately. He really never got to show anything during the summer.
WR Josh Vann: The undrafted rookie battled an undisclosed injury during the offseason program and then seemed to be behind the curve to start training camp. He turned on the talent toward the end of camp and even made some plays in the preseason. He’s likely to return on the practice squad for seasoning. There’s talent there.
CB Herb Miller: The FAU alum battled throughout the summer. Still, he was fighting an uphill battle given the numbers game, and the signing of Troy Hill likely sealed his fate.
OLB Jordan Thomas: The Thomas experiment was fun while it lasted. The tight end-turned-pass rusher was injured throughout the preseason and failed to make a mark even before that. He could be back on the practice squad as a project.
G Deonte Brown: The Panthers have worked with Brown for three summers, and each year it feels more and more like he’s down in the pecking order. Brown could be back on the practice roster.
LB Ace Eley: The undrafted rookie had one of the more impressive physiques of anyone in camp. However, he got lost in the shuffle on the field and probably needs a practice squad stint or two before getting regular-season playing time.
G Justin McCray: The James Campen favorite is headed back to free agency. While serving as a starting guard and backup center, McCray struggled to find consistency. He could be back after Week 1 as veteran insurance.
G/T Sam Tecklenburg: The versatile lineman failed to gain ground in the competition for a backup job. He’s likely headed to a practice squad somewhere.
WR Javon Wims: The Georgia alum was a late arrival to camp, but he did a nice job of tightening the gap in the wide receiver competition down the stretch. Wims flashed enough in practice and the preseason to get an invite to the practice squad. Perhaps he will receive interest elsewhere.
OLB Eku Leota: The Asheville native finished training camp strong and flashed in the preseason. Still, those performances weren’t enough to boost him onto the main roster. The Panthers could regret this decision if Leota is claimed off waivers.
LB Deion Jones: The Panthers brought in Jones to add experienced depth to the defense. After a strong showing in camp, Jones seemingly played well in the preseason as well. Still, the group apparently became crowded, and the team had to fill other positions on the depth chart. Since Jones is a vested veteran, he immediately becomes a free agent. He could return after players are placed on injured reserve on Wednesday or following Week 1 when his contract wouldn’t be guaranteed for the season.
OLB Kobe Jones: Despite an excellent summer and a strong preseason, Jones is a victim to the numbers game. With some impressive film from the preseason, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jones get claimed off waivers.
CB Mark Milton: The undrafted rookie was consistently among the first to arrive at practice every morning. Unfortunately for him, he won’t be on the main roster to start his rookie season. The Panthers are likely to put him on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
DE Raequan Williams: Another surprise! Williams received starter reps in the second preseason game and had an outstanding performance against the New York Giants. He could get looks on the waiver wire.
G Michael Jordan: Following a disastrous start to the preseason, Jordan failed to make up ground. His salary would have become guaranteed if he was on the Week 1 roster.
G J.D. DiRenzo: The undrafted rookie showed necessary strength and attitude in the trenches. He is likely to receive more tutoring on the practice squad if he passes through waivers.
RB Spencer Brown: The third-year running back will probably return on the practice squad after a strong summer. While he received plenty of playing time in the preseason, the Panthers decided to stick with three running backs on the active roster. Brown was given quite the spotlight in the preseason, and he could receive looks on the waiver wire.
This story was originally published August 29, 2023 at 10:55 AM.
