CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A wide receiver the Carolina Panthers acquired in free agency and a cornerback who started 17 games the past two seasons weren’t at practice on Tuesday.
But coach Ron Rivera would not say officially wide receiver Jarrett Boykin and cornerback Melvin White had been released.
The team has until 4 p.m. to get the roster to 75 players. It was at 82 after releasing eight players on Monday, then Carolina added wide receiver Kevin Norwood in a trade with Seattle.
Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (season-ending ACL) will eat up one spot when he goes on injured reserve.
Boykin, White and safety Robert Lester, also not at practice, will account for three more spots. The team likely is waiting until the last minute to make the move official in case a team offers a draft pick in a trade as Seattle did with Norwood.
White announced the end of his stint with Carolina on Twitter.
My journey dnt stop here, cause God didn't bring me this far to leave me rite here!!! #Blessed #Faith
— Mj White (@Mwhite_23) September 1, 2015Boykin was signed as a free agent after not being re-signed by the Green Bay Packers, but never showed consistency and didn’t catch a pass from starting quarterback Cam Newton in three preseason games. He had nine catches on 19 targets.
White started the opener last season and started seven games total in 2014, but ultimately was replaced by Josh Norman.
With the addition of veteran Charles Tillman and the emergence of 2014 rookie Bene' Benwikere, in addition to the signing of free agent Teddy Williams, White became expendable.
Lester started four games in 2013, but played in only one game last season.
