The Panthers made more roster moves Sunday to prepare themselves for the regular season, claiming two wide receivers and a defensive back – all of whom have return experience – off waivers and let go of wide receiver Torrey Smith, running back Elijah Holyfield and cornerback Kevon Seymour as corresponding moves.

Smith was held in high regard by the Panthers players and coaching staff – for not only his play over his eight-year career, which netted him two Super Bowl rings, but his penchant for social reform, his leadership as he helped guide two young wide receivers and his toughness – Smith suffered a knee injury against the Eagles in Week 6 of the season that affected him the rest of the season. The 30-year old wideout had midseason surgery and returned to the field just over a month later, but clearly wasn’t at full health. After 16 catches for 171 yards and a touchdown in his first six games, including four for 61 in the game his was injured in, Smith managed only one more catch the rest of the season.

Just as he was in previous stops during his NFL tenure, Smith was also extremely active in the Charlotte community, getting involved in the topics of the criminal justice system, bail reform, and the challenges currently facing the public education system in Charlotte.

The Panthers also released Elijah Holyfield, whom they signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2019 Draft. Holyfield was competing with fellow rookie Jordan Scarlett and second-year player Reggie Bonnafon to back up Christian McCaffrey and had a solid training camp and preseason with 19 carries for 79 yards as well as six catches for 28 yards with touchdowns coming both on the ground and through the air.

The Panthers are likely hoping that Holyfield will clear waivers and be able to be stashed on the practice squad.

Kevon Seymour, whom the Panthers acquired via trade with the Buffalo Bills ahead of the 2017 season, could never return to full health after being placed on injured reserve and having surgery on both shoulders during last season – the cornerback was playing well and earning accolades from the coaching staff before straining his hamstring during the second week of training camp and missing the entirety of the 2019 preseason.

The Panthers open the 2019 season against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, September 8th at 1p.

Josh Klein on Twitter
Josh Klein
Editor-In-Chief at The Riot Report
Josh Klein is Editor-In-Chief of The Riot Report. His favorite Panther of all time is Chad Cota and he once AIM chatted with Kevin Greene. Follow Josh on Twitter @joshkleinrules.