CHARLOTTE — The Panthers had to make a number of roster changes on Tuesday due to injuries that necessitated adjustments to other positions.
Outside linebacker Eku Leota was waived by the Panthers, tight end Jordan Matthews was released, and tight end Feleipe Franks was signed by the practice squad to the active roster.
Former Florida Gators quarterback Franks was on the active roster for the first game, was later cut loose and added to the practice squad, and had an appearance last week as a regular elevation. He’s already establishing himself as a useful member of the special teams.
Matthews participated in the opening two contests. In the first game, Leota got a sack and three tackles for loss.
After placing Derrick Brown on injured reserve, the Panthers were already shorthanded at nose tackle Shy Tuttle, who sustained a foot injury on Sunday, according to head coach Dave Canales on Monday. A’Shawn Robinson, Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray, and Jayden Peevy are the only four healthy lineman on the roster at the time; DeShawn Williams and T.J. Smith are on the practice squad.
