Panthers trim to 53-man roster for 2024 season

CHARLOTTE — Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales and the front office have made waiver claims. The moves Wednesday came after the team cut the roster from 90 players to 53.

Carolina has the No. 1 pick on the waiver wire after finishing with the league’s worst record (2-15) last season.

Cornerbacks Keenan Isaac, Shemar Bartholomew, and Tariq Castro-Fields were claimed off waivers, along with linebackers Jamie Sheriff and Jon Rhattigan. Guad Jarrett Kingston is also on that list.

The Panthers waived the following players in response: Wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, offensive lineman Cade Mays, cornerback D’Shawn Jamison, defensive end Jayden Peevy, wide receiver Jalen Coker, and safety Demani Richardson.

Ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline, here’s who made the initial 53-man roster for the Panthers:

Offense

Quarterbacks: Bryce Young, Andy Dalton

Offensive Line: Ikem Ekwonu, Damien Lewis, Austin Corbett, Robert Hunt, Taylor Moton, Brady Christensen, Chandler Zavala, Andrew Raym, Cade Mays, Yosh Nijman

Running Backs: Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Raheem Blackshear

Wide Receivers: Adam Thielen, Diontae Johnson, Jonathan Mingo, Xavier Legette, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, David Moore, Jalen Coker

Tight Ends: Tommy Tremble, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Ian Thomas

Defense

Defensive Line: Derrick Brown, Shy Tuttle, A’Shawn Robinson, Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray, Jaden Crumedy, Jayden Peevy.

Outside Linebackers: Jadeveon Clowney, DJ Johnson, K’Lavon Chaisson, Eku Leota.

Inside Linebackers: Shaq Thompson, Josey Jewell, Claudin Cherelus, Trevin Wallace.

Corner Backs: Jaycee Horn, Michael Jackson, Troy Hill, D’Shawn Jamison, Chau Smith-Wade

Safeties: Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Jammie Robinson, Demani Richardson.

Special Teams

Kicker: Eddy Piñeiro

Punter: Johnny Hekker

Long Snapper: JJ Jansen

Here’s who was waived and placed on injured reserve lists, according to the Panthers.

Waived-injured: DT Junior Aho, OT Tyler Smith.

Waived: DT Ulumoo Ale, G Jack Anderson, LB Aaron Beasley, CB Dicaprio Bootle, G Mason Brooks, S Alex Cook, OT Jeremiah Crawford, CB Willie Drew, OLB Kenny Dyson, TE Feleipe Franks, OT Ricky Lee, WR Terrace Marshall Jr., OLB Derrick McLendon, CB Quandre Mosely, DT Walter Palmore, WR Sam Pinckney, QB Jack Plummer, RB Jaden Shirden, DT TJ Smith, WR Mike Strachan, OLB Luiji Vilain, CB Chris Wilcox, LB Chandler Wooten.

Released (vested veterans): G Ike Boettger, RB Mike Boone, S Rudy Ford, TE Jacob Hollister, TE Jesper Horsted, TE Jordan Matthews.

Reserve/physically unable to perform: OLB Amare Barno, OLB DJ Wonnum.

Reserve/non-football injury: RB Jonathon Brooks.

Injured reserve (designated for return): CB Dane Jackson, S Sam Franklin.

Injured reserve: LB Tae Davis, OLB Cam Gill.

Earlier

Early Tuesday afternoon, a source told ESPN the team will release receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. The former second-round pick had a strong camp, which should help his case in finding a new home.

Canales said the wide receiver group was the strongest coming out of training camp and previously shared he would look at a player’s entire body of work when deciding on the roster.

The head coach also said they’ll look at available players across the NFL to help decide where to make cuts.

Current injuries on the team will also be a factor.

On Monday, Canales didn’t shy away from the emotional toll of cutting players he and others have built relationships with.

“It should always hurt, and if it doesn’t, I’m not doing it right,” he said.

Canales said he’ll speak with each player, giving them the “why” behind the move.

The NFL’s deadline to finalize the roster is Tuesday at 4 p.m.

(WATCH BELOW: Multiple fights break out during Panthers-Jets joint practice in Charlotte)

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