Skip to main content

Panthers cut WR Boykin, CB White to trim roster to 75

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Panthers waived wide receiver Jarrett Boykin and waived-injured former starting cornerback Melvin White on Tuesday.

The team also waived safety Robert Lester, defensive tackle Kenny Horsley and wide receiver De'Andre Presley, and waived-injured defensive tackle Micanor Regis. Also, wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin was placed on injured reserve as the team reached the 75-player roster limit.

Boykin was signed earlier this offseason as a free agent after spending three years with the Green Bay Packers. His best season came in 2013 when he caught 49 passes for 681 yards and three touchdowns, but was released by the Packers after catching just three passes in 2014.

White had started 17 games over the past two seasons for Carolina and had 83 tackles, 11 pass breakups and three interceptions.

The Panthers boasted about their depth at wide receiver throughout the offseason, but that core has dwindled. Benjamin and Stephen Hill both tore ACLs during training camp and Boykin, despite leading all wide receivers with 91 yards on nine receptions in the preseason, didn't show the consistency.

The Panthers traded on Monday with Seattle to acquire for Kevin Norwood, a fourth-round pick in 2014 who caught nine passes last season.

''He's a guy who is used to winning,'' quarterback Cam Newton said.

Carolina's receivers have been plagued by several drops the last two preseason games, but Newton said he isn't allowing it to affect his approach to the game.

''Those are things I can't worry about,'' Newton said. ''It doesn't affect me one bit. I want guys who are ready to come in and play and I think (Norwood) is ready to come in and do that. This is a production league. We're all getting critiqued and watched each and every day.''

Carolina's first-team offense has scored 20 points - two touchdowns and two field goals - in 15 possessions.

---

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL