Carolina Panthers release starting LB Josey Jewell as he recovers from concussion
The Carolina Panthers released starting inside linebacker Josey Jewell a day before the first practice of this year’s training camp.
Jewell received a failed physical designation as part of the release process on Tuesday, according to the NFL transaction wire. A team spokesperson clarified that the inside linebacker is still recovering from the concussion he suffered in a December contest against the Arizona Cardinals — one that kept him out the rest of the season.
Jewell was present at mandatory organized team activities (OTAs) this summer, but his participation aligned with the league’s concussion protocol. A team spokesperson also said that Jewell had a say in this decision; the player ultimately decided to make this move so he could focus on his recovery without taking up a roster spot and the valuable training camp reps that come with it.
It’s conceivable that Jewell could return to the team once he’s recovered.
The 30-year-old veteran is coming off his seventh NFL season and his first in Carolina. He started all 12 games he played, coming up with one interception, seven pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, 3.5 sacks and 97 tackles. After a slow start, Jewell became a bright spot on a defense that struggled — the unit gave up an NFL all-time most amount of points (534 points) and also allowed a league-worst 3,057 rushing yards in 2024.
Jewell signed with Carolina last offseason on a three-year, $18.75 million deal with a $7 million signing bonus. If Jewell was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, then he would’ve been entitled to his $4.735 million salary this year — $2 million of which was guaranteed, according to Over The Cap. With the Panthers’ decision to cut him, he’s now only owed the guaranteed money.
Jewell also had $865,000 in per-game and workout bonuses in 2025, per his contract.
With Jewell out, where do the Panthers go from here?
This roster transaction only makes more urgent the need for the Panthers to build depth at the inside linebacker position.
The team drafted Trevin Wallace out of Kentucky in the third round of last year’s draft, and Wallace flashed for the team at points last year. The Panthers also signed Los Angeles Rams starter Christian Rozeboom on the first day of free agency this past March. But the position is relatively open outside of that duo — particularly with the recent departure of Shaq Thompson, who is now with the Buffalo Bills.
Other inside linebackers listed on the roster: Claudin Cherelus, Jacoby Windmon, Jon Rhattigan, Bam Martin-Scott and Tuasivi Nomura.
General manager Dan Morgan told The Charlotte Observer earlier this year that the addition of Rozeboom would be a boon to this defense. Not only does the 28-year-old linebacker have a history with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s scheme — he played for the Rams when Evero was the team’s defensive passing game coordinator — but he also was brought in with a defensive and special teams acumen that precedes him.
“I think signing someone like Christian — a veteran guy, he had 135 tackles last year — he can come in and he can play,” Morgan said in April. “It’s going to push Trevin to be better, it’s going to push Josey, it’s going to push all the linebackers to be better. That’s why we want that type of competition, because everyone knows they need to bring it on a day-to-day basis. Otherwise, you’re not going to be in the starting lineup.”
Some inside linebackers still on the market include Eric Kendricks (who spent last season in Dallas), Sione Takitaki (New England), Kyzir White (Arizona), Nicholas Morrow (Buffalo/Philadelphia) and Ja’Whaun Bentley (New England).
‘We have a lot of young, talented guys’
This news comes a day after the Panthers announced the team would start training camp practices without three other players: Tommy Tremble (back, active/PUP), Dan Chisena (calf, active/PUP) and Sam Martin (hamstring, active/non-football injury list). They aren’t expected to miss much time.
In an availability with reporters on Tuesday, Morgan reiterated that the team will consider every option when it comes to upgrading the roster — but that a team objective this year is to develop the team’s young core, too.
“We have a lot of young, talented guys that we’re excited about on the roster,” Morgan said. “I’m just looking for continuous growth on the daily basis. Just to see them go up there, see them get better every single day.”
In a corresponding move, the Panthers have signed former Seahawks tight end Tyler Mabry, per the NFL transaction wire.
Mike Kaye contributed to this report.
This story was originally published July 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM.
