The Panthers had a reasonably placid offseason, but a few events of the last week have forced them to adjust the roster as they return to the practice field this morning.
The team announced they signed cornerback T.J. Heath and defensive tackle Kenny Horsley, and released punter Matt Wile.
Wile was a camp leg, while the other two help fill in with some depth at positions that are suddenly a bit more of a concern.
They weren’t expecting the retirement of cornerback Chris Houston so early in camp, but they brought in veteran Charles Tillman this offseason to work with Josh Norman and Bene Benwikere, so their first unit is still solid.
But the bigger concern will be over defensive tackle Star Lotulelei. He’s in a walking boot and they’re going to monitor his condition, saying they’ll “reevaluate his foot in a few weeks.”
The Panthers have also been without fellow starter Kawann Short throughout camp as he’s dealing with a back issue.
They have some veteran depth there in Colin Cole and Dwan Edwards, but that plan doesn’t look nearly as good without the 2013 draft picks in front of them.