The Carolina Panthers made a series of roster adjustments on Sunday, August 30, to reach the NFL’s 53-man limit for the upcoming season. These moves included waiving 16 players, releasing 10 vested veterans, and placing several players on reserve lists due to injury or non-football illness.
Among the players waived were cornerbacks DeCarlos Nicholson, Cam Miller, Devonta Smith, and Corey Thornton, safety Demani Richardson, outside linebackers Isaiah Smith, Maz Mwansa, and Trevin Wallace, linebackers Maema Njongmeta, defensive tackles Parker Petersen and Jared Harrison-Hunte, offensive lineman Isaia Glass, center Nick Samac, running back Tre Tyus, and wide receivers Casey Washington and Ja’seem Reed.
Ten vested veterans were released, including wide receiver David Moore, defensive tackle Elijah Garcia, offensive lineman Jake Curhan, cornerback Robert Rochell, safety Isaiah Simmons, outside linebackers Cam Gill and Jeremiah Moon, offensive lineman Ja’Tyre Carter, quarterback Kyle Trask, and tight end James Mitchell.
Running back Trevor Etienne and linebacker Bam Martin-Scott were placed on injured reserve, making them eligible for a potential return later in the season. Cornerback Tyrek Funderburk was waived-injured. Additionally, right tackle Taylor Moton was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list, while left tackle Ikem Ekwonu and defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton were placed on reserve/physically unable to perform. Players on these lists are ineligible for the first four games of the season but can return to practice after two weeks.
In a separate transaction, the Panthers acquired defensive tackle TeRah Edwards from the Chargers in exchange for a 2028 sixth-round draft pick. With these roster changes, the team has reached the 53-man limit and is now able to establish a practice squad of up to 16 players, plus an international player such as Maz Mwansa, who spent the previous year on the practice squad.
