Carolina Panthers Release Ron Edwards

The Carolina Panthers have released defensive tackle Ron Edwards earlier this afternoon. He is one of two players expected to be released by the team, the other being Chris Gamble. This is all a part of a decision to free of cap space in time for the official start of the 2013 NFL season.

Nov 26, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Ron Edwards (96) is taken to the locker room during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Panthers defeated the Eagles 30-22. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Over the last two season, Edwards only played in eleven games. In fact he missed the entire 2011 NFL season because of tricep injuries. With a new focus on youth and a need to free cap space, it came as no surprise that Edwards was released.

"“We appreciate the contributions that Ron has made to the Panthers the past two seasons,” Ron Rivera said in a released statement. “He set a great example on and off the field for our young players and we wish him well moving forward.”"

In 2012 he stacked up fourteen tackles, a sack, and eleven starts. He suffered an elbow injury that forced him to miss the remainder of the season.

Edwards is thirty-three years old and has a track record of being easily injured and spending time on the bench through out his twelve seasons in the NFL. Releasing him will free up $2.5 million in cap space for the Panther who are trying to free up before the start of the 2013 season which has a $123 million salary cap.