Carolina Panthers 2024 roster cuts tracker: Live updates and analysis - updated 8/27

After a whirlwind offseason throughout yet another rebuild, the Carolina Panthers have some tough decisions to make. General manager Dan Morgan has to whittle his 90-man roster down to 53 players by Tuesday's deadline. Some will be brought back onto the practice squad. Others will be removed from the equation entirely.

Of course, the 53-man roster chosen by the Panthers will be initial. Some who made the grade should still be nervously looking over their shoulders considering Morgan has the No. 1 waiver wire priority until the start of Week 4.

Morgan knows good players are about to get released around the league. He also knows the Panthers are in no position to be turning down gifts when they're presented. His recent trade for veteran cornerback Mike Jackson - disposing of seventh-rounder Michael Barrett as part of the deal - is evidence of his aggressive nature and business-first approach.

This is a difficult time of year for many players. Some will see their dreams crushed. Others will have a keen eye on getting opportunities elsewhere if they don't quite do enough. It's a fine line, but Morgan is harboring no sentiment to his decision-making process in pursuit of getting the Panthers off rock bottom and back into contention.

Morgan is under more scrutiny than most. He was part of the previous front-office regime but didn't think much of the way the football operation went about its business under Scott Fitterer. The former linebacker left a positive impression on damage limitation. One could argue that this is his most pivotal period since taking charge.

Fans will be eagerly awaiting developments. These cuts have been more staggered in recent years, but the new NFL rules gave everyone a fair chance of proving their worth over a full training camp and preseason slate. That's been a big help to some. For others, it's merely prolonged the agony before their inevitable fate is sealed.

Carolina Panthers 2024 roster cut tracker

Carolina Panthers cut Jack Anderson

Despite making an impressive start to life with the team following a late arrival, Jack Anderson was the first name to be revealed on final cut day. The offensive lineman can hold his head high after some strong performances in the preseason. He could be a candidate for the practice squad depending on what other options become available.

Carolina Panthers place three on PUP

The Panthers have placed two players expected to be key contributors as the campaign progresses on the physically unable-to-perform list. Edge Rusher D.J. Wonnum and rookie running back Jonathon Brooks will both miss the first four games of the campaign as they recover from their respective complications.

Wonnum suffered a setback from his torn quad and hasn't been seen all offseason. The Panthers were aware of Brooks' torn ACL but drafted him anyway. Others must take the lead in their absence, but this was always expected looking at how things went over the summer.

Amare Barno - another who's been seldom seen throughout Carolina's offseason program - is also going to the PUP list to start the campaign.

Carolina Panthers cut Rudy Ford

After being a late arrival to the Panthers this offseason, Rudy Ford was always going to find it difficult. He's got some decent previous production on the defensive rotation and special teams. Unfortunately, time wasn't on his side and he is now free to search for alternative employment.

This is good news for the other young safeties on Carolina's roster, although competition remains fierce in pursuit of a select few roster spots behind the projected top trio of Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, and Nick Scott.

Carolina Panthers waive Luiji Villain

The Panthers aren't exactly blessed with great edge-rushing depth. That led some to wonder whether Luiji Villain would make the initial 53-man roster after flashing once again throughout camp. Those in power opted to waive the player instead.

This wasn't a great shock all things considered. Villain's production when called upon during the preseason was inconsistent. Building trust was crucial, which the Panthers had some reservations about if he wasn't brought through despite the threadbare options available.

Carolina Panthers waive Chandler Wooten

Despite emerging as a decent special teams performer during his time with the Panthers, it wasn't enough for linebacker Chandler Wooten to make the initial 53-man roster. This was likely down to the emergence of rookie third-rounder Trevin Wallace, who's done a remarkable job over the last three weeks to surge into the primary backup role behind Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell.

Wooten is another candidate for the practice squad if he clears waivers. He bounced on and off the same status in 2023, but the second-level presence was probably aiming for much higher.

Carolina Panthers cut Dicaprio Bootle

The Panthers traded for veteran cornerback Mike Jackson, sending seventh-round pick Michael Barrett to the Seattle Seahawks in return. This was largely down to Dane Jackson's injury, but it also made things less certain for those down the pecking order fighting for involvement.

Dicaprio Bootle was cut by the Panthers despite showing promise over training camp. The former Nebraska star struggled on occasion during the preseason, which was probably his undoing. However, he's another strong practice squad candidate if another team doesn't offer him a roster spot beforehand.

Carolina Panthers waive Jack Plummer

It was a rollercoaster first NFL offseason for Jack Plummer. The undrafted free-agent quarterback was never going to unseat Bryce Young or Andy Dalton for their respective spots. What the signal-caller wanted was to potentially do enough to stick around as the No. 3 option or maybe the practice squad to continue his development.

Plummer began the preseason indifferently but picked things up as he gained more experience. His showing in their warmup finale against the Buffalo Bills was his best by far. Something that almost guarantees he'll be back on the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Carolina Panthers cut Mike Boone

In perhaps the biggest surprise, the Panthers also parted ways with Mike Boone. The running back was one of the team's standout performers throughout the preseason, vastly outperforming others also in contention for spots. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to get the nod.

The Panthers are happy enough with Raheem Blackshear as the No. 3 option until Jonathon Brooks makes his return. That's their prerogative, but one could forgive Boone for being a little aggrieved after showcasing genuine promise throughout an impressive summer.

Boone will only be a free agent for 24 hours. He's a vested veteran who'll likely come back onto the squad unless someone else scoops him up beforehand.

Carolina Panthers release Terrace Marshall Jr.

Despite another starring performance at training camp, it wasn't enough to give Terrace Marshall Jr. a reprieve. The Panthers were reportedly shopping the wideout for a trade but couldn't find a willing suitor. They opted to give him a fresh start with nothing back in return.

Marshall came into the Panthers with high hopes as a second-round pick. A carousel of offensive play-callers and coaches didn't help, but it was clear from a long way out the former LSU star was never going to reach his draft billing.

The wideout should get another opportunity somewhere. Look out for the Buffalo Bills or Cincinnati Bengals as potential landing spots.

Carolina Panthers release Jordan Matthews

Despite displaying exceptional leadership, work ethic, and high-quality production throughout the offseason, Jordan Matthews was also released. This indicates the Panthers got some good news regarding Ian Thomas' status after suffering a calf injury during camp.

Matthews caught the eye on countless occasions in the preseason. He caught a touchdown from Bryce Young at the Buffalo Bills and did nothing wrong whatsoever. Carolina will likely bring him back onto the practice squad if they can, but he's put enough good film out there to potentially attract interest on the open market.

Carolina Panthers waive T.J. Smith

T.J. Smith came into the Panthers as a man on a mission. The formidable defensive lineman flashed moments of genuine promise after three mundane years with the Minnesota Vikings. He surged into roster contention, but Morgan preferred others when it came to the crunch.

LaBryan Ray and Nick Thurman - two holdovers from last season's squad - got the nod instead. Smith can feel a sense of aggrevement about his eventual fate. However, a place on the practice squad couldn't be dismissed entirely.

Carolina Panthers waive Alex Cook

After coming to the fore as an undrafted free agent last season, Alex Cook's performances had many believing he was a shoo-in to make the team again. The Panthers had other ideas, deciding to fill out their safety room with Jammie Robinson and Demani Richardson instead.

Considering how Ejiro Evero preferred Cook to Jeremy Chinn when injuries struck last season, to go away from the player entirely was a shock. Securing his spot on the practice squad might be an option if nobody scoops him up beforehand.

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