Ron

Edwards

NT Ron Edwards, MLB Jon Beason, WLB Thomas Davis, and DTs Sione Fua and Terrell McClain are all expected back, though Davis will have to take a major pay cut. The Panthers are expected to target defensive tackle and cornerback early in April’s draft.

As will DT Ron Edwards (triceps). The only player officially listed as out is RE Charles Johnson, who is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. Although Beason and Davis are “limited,” they should unofficially be expected to do extremely little. Neither player is guaranteed of being ready for Week 1.

Edwards missed minicamp with a minor hamstring injury, but is recovered from the arm injury that cost him all of 2011. “We just felt he’s a veteran guy, he didn’t need to come out and kill himself,” coach Ron Rivera said. Edwards should be returning to a starting job.

He will be placed on season-ending injured reserve, with Frank Kearse promoted from the practice squad to take his roster spot. The 33-year-old had been playing on early downs but was below average in run defense. Sione Fua should take over as the starter inside. It’s not a major downgrade.

Edwards was replaced in the lineup by Sione Fua, and Fua later forced a fumble against Eagles’ running back Bryce Brown. Edwards has started every game this season.

It’s painfully obvious that Edwards is going to get cut. The Panthers are up against the cap, and Edwards is due a little over $2.5 million in the final year of his deal. Plus, he wasn’t all that good in 11 games before landing on injured reserve with a dislocated elbow. Carolina played better defense without him.

The move clears roughly $1.67 million in cap space. It could be seen coming from a mile away for a player who signed a three-year, $8.25 million deal after the lockout. Edwards missed all of 2011 with a torn triceps, and was limited to 11 games last season by a dislocated elbow. Going on 34, Edwards wasn’t productive when he took the field. He’ll have a rough go of it in free agency.

Carolina is currently around $9 million over the cap, and releasing Edwards would clear about $2.5 million. The Panthers want to re-sign Dwan Edwards, and they will look to replace Ron through either the draft or free agency.

Edwards suffered the injury in the first half Sunday against New Orleans. He is expected to be placed on the injured reserve list in the near future. “The good news is it’s not as serious as the previous injury,” coach Mike Mularkey said. He missed most of the 2003 season with a serious injury to his left shoulder that required surgery.

They’ll update his status later in the week.