Panthers cut WR Jason Avant after he questions play-calling
The Carolina Panthers have waived veteran wide receiver Jason Avant, the team announced Tuesday.
The news comes days after Avant made comments that questioned the Panthers' play-calling during Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
With less than two minutes remaining, the Panthers gained only four yards on three running plays to set up a game-winning, 46-yard field-goal attempt. Graham Gano’s kick went wide left, and the Panthers failed to score again. Avant remarked after the game that the team could have been more aggressive to take the lead.
“I’ve been in the league a long time. I know two things,” Avant said. “You never want to give a team a chance to win a game, with how much time was left on the clock. And asking a kicker to make a 50-yard field goal with the game on the line is rough sledding.”
Avant, 31, was signed to the team in April in hopes that he would provide veteran experience. Before that, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2006 to '13. This season, he had 201 yards and one touchdown in 11 games.
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The Panthers (3-7-1) are third in the NFC South after losing to the Falcons, who are now first in the division. Atlanta has a bye week before playing the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 30.
- Danielle Zhu
