Overview
- The Panthers placed defensive end LaBryan Ray on the reserve/retired list after he abruptly retired during training camp, a move reported late in the week before Carolina’s Hall of Fame Game.
- Carolina responded by placing offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles on injured reserve and signing offensive lineman Jake Curhan and defensive tackle Parker Petersen to the active roster.
- Ray’s exit reduces the team’s defensive-line depth behind starters Derrick Brown, Bobby Brown III and Cam Jackson and hands extra snaps to younger players competing for rotation roles.
- The Hall of Fame Game in Canton will serve as an early audition for those younger linemen, with Kenny Pickett confirmed to start the preseason opener and backups expected to handle most reps.
- Ray, 28, joined the Panthers after a 2023 camp tryout, played 46 games with 10 starts for Carolina and his sudden retirement opens a roster spot the team could use to add another veteran if preseason play shows a need.