The Carolina Panthers made one of their more notable roster cuts on Sunday, parting ways with wide receiver Ja’seem Reed after he flashed throughout training camp and the preseason.
NFL teams had to get down to 53 players by 6 p.m. on Aug. 30, and Reed’s release stood out because he had built real momentum. The second-year receiver out of the University of San Diego spent 2025 on Carolina’s practice squad, then spent camp and exhibition play making a strong push for a spot on the 2026 roster.
At 6-foot-2, Reed drew praise from Panthers quarterbacks and made the most of his chances in the preseason. He caught two touchdown passes in three exhibition games and finished third on the team with 84 receiving yards, even though he missed the Jaguars game because of injury.
John Metchie, who was also competing for a roster spot, finished ahead of Reed and may have made the difference in the Panthers’ receiver battle. If Reed gets through waivers without another team claiming him, he would be a natural candidate to return on Carolina’s practice squad.
With Reed out, the Panthers are expected to keep six receivers heading into the regular season: Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker at the top, followed by Xavier Legette, Jimmy Horn, Brycen Tremayne and Metchie.
Carolina also moved on from veteran receiver David Moore and 2024 third-round pick Trevin Wallace. Moore had previously followed Panthers coach Dave Canales from Seattle to Tampa Bay and then to Carolina.
Wallace couldn’t lock down the second starting inside linebacker job, and the Panthers responded by signing Bobby Okereke on Aug. 29.
Now that the roster is largely set, Carolina turns to the regular season. The Panthers open at home against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 13.
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