Carolina Panthers Roster Cut to 75, Blanchard to IR
Just two days shy of their preseason finale in Pittsburgh, the Carolina Panthers announced more changes to the roster that put the amount of players on the roster at the NFL-required 75-man limit.
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Most notably off the main Carolina Panthers roster is quarterback Matt Blanchard, who has been put on injured reserve along with second-year tight end D.C. Jefferson and center Kevin Matthews.
Blanchard passed for just 10 yards and completed only three of his nine attempts this preseason.
His move to the IR practically confirms that Joe Webb will be taking the third QB spot in the depth chart behind Derek Anderson and Cam Newton, should Carolina decide to run with three quarterbacks.
It also appears that Webb will be getting most of the reps against the Steelers following Newton’s hairline rib fracture and Anderson awaiting the birth of his first child. This comes shortly after the Panthers released wide receiver Tiquan Underwood, and moved another receiver, De’Andre Presely, to the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Being on the PUP list could lead to the former App State standout coming back to the roster eventually in either a receiver or a special teams role.
Carolina has also waived several players, including receivers Marvin McNutt, Toney Clemons and Kealoha Pilares.
These cuts could possibly leave room for preseason standouts like Brenton Bersin and Tavarres King, both of whom will fight it out for a fourth, or both could possibly even make it if the team decides to go with five receivers on the final roster.
Other names on the waiver list include rookie linebacker Anthony Morales, defensive linemen Liden Gaydosh, Alex Hall and Craig Roh.
Even special teams specialists weren’t safe, as punter Jordan Gay (you know, that guy who punted the ball eight yards against Kansas City two weeks ago) was also put on the waiver list.
The NFL requires all teams to trim down to a 53-man roster by this Saturday, August 30, at 4 p.m.