Associated Press
CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers trimmed their roster to 53 players on Saturday — and they aren’t done making moves.
The Panthers, who have first dibs on all waiver claims, kept only three cornerbacks and three defensive tackles, so they’ll be looking for help outside the organization at those two positions in the next day or two.
The most notable cuts included defensive tackles Corvey Irvin and Nick Hayden, running backs Tyrell Sutton and Josh Vaughan, and fullback Tony Fiammetta.
The Panthers also cut wide receivers Wallace Wright, Charly Martin, Darvin Adams and Jamorris Warren; tight end Greg Smith; offensive linemen Ryan Pugh, Jacob Bender and John Gianninoto; defensive linemen Malcolm Tatum, Ugo Chinasa and DelJuan Robinson; linebackers Lawrence Wilson and Sean Ware; cornerbacks Robert McClain, Chevis Jackson, C.J. Wilson and Kendric Burney; safety Michael Greco and kicker Adi Kunalic.
The Panthers are No. 1 on all waiver wire pickups after finishing 2-14 last year. Players who have been in the league for less than four years have to clear waivers. Teams must submit waiver claims by noon Sunday and they will be awarded by 4 p.m.
As for players with four or more years experience, they become free agents and can be contacted anytime after 10 p.m. Saturday night and then sign with any team.
At defensive tackle, the Panthers are left with rookies Sione Fua and Terrell McClain and second-year-player Andre Neblett. They have started one game between them. At corner, the Panthers have only Chris Gamble, Captain Munnerlyn and R.J. Stanford after cutting four cornerbacksand putting Hogan, their fourth-round pick, on the PUP list.
Fiammetta was the team’s starting fullback last year but struggled with concussion problems the last few weeks.
The Panthers kept three rookie offensive lineman in seventh-round pick Lee Ziemba, Byron Bell and Bryant Browning, although they’re likely to add a veteran guard to help offset the injuries to Geoff Schwartz and Garry Williams, who are done for the season.