Carolina Panthers cut 22 players, including 2022 Draft pick, ahead of roster deadline

The Carolina Panthers announced almost two dozen cuts to the roster on Tuesday ahead of the NFL’s deadline at 4 p.m. ET. The list includes a number of undrafted free agents, as well as former 2022 fourth-round draft pick Brandon Smith.

Here is the list of cut players: running back Spencer Brown; wide receivers Shi Smith, Javon Wims, and Josh Vann; offensive linemen Justin McCray, Michael Jordan, Deonte Brown, Sam Tecklenburg, and JD Direnzo; defensive lineman Raequan Williams; outside linebackers Kobe Jones, Eku Leota, and Jordan Thomas; inside linebackers Deion Jones, Brandon Smith, and Ace Eley; safety Eric Rowe; and cornerbacks Keith Taylor, Stantley Thomas-Oliver, Herb Miller, Mac McCain, and Mark Milton.

Smith appeared in 12 games as a rookie out of Penn State. However, an ankle injury set him back. It’s possible that the Panthers could re-sign him to the practice squad on Wednesday.

The Panthers also placed right guard Austin Corbett on the reserve/physically unable to perform list due to the ACL injury he suffered at the end of the 2022 season. Going on PUP means he’ll have to miss at least the first four weeks of the 2023 season.

Also injured, defensive end Henry Anderson went on Injured Reserve on Tuesday. Making the move before the 4 p.m. deadline means he won’t count against the 53-man roster but he also cannot return this season.

Panthers execute trade for Chiefs wide receiver

The Panthers added to their roster early Tuesday, with the team announcing that they had traded for receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

Carolina swapped conditional seventh-round picks in 2025 with the Chiefs to acquire the former Iowa Hawkeye.

Smith-Marsette turned heads in this preseason. He caught nine passes for 195 yards worth, which was the second-highest total in the NFL. Plus, he scored two touchdowns. Smith-Marsette primarily played when Chiefs backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert was in the game.

For some background, he’s a former Iowa Hawkeye star who earned offensive MVP of the 2019 Holiday Bowl. The Vikings selected him in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He’s also played for the Bears and Chiefs. He’s seen action in 16 games with the Bears and Vikings. The Chiefs used him on the practice squad last season.

When he played, Ihmir Smith-Marsette caught 16 passes for 131 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He’s a big-play receiver with a career average of 21.8 yards a catch.

On3’s Suzanne Halliburton contributed to this report.