NFL teams
David Newton, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Panthers cut veteran Jason Avant

NFL, Carolina Panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers on Tuesday released veteran wide receiver Jason Avant and placed starting right tackle Nate Chandler on injured reserve with a torn meniscus in his right knee.

They also activated fullback/running back Mike Tolbert (leg) from injured reserve and signed wide receiver De'Andre Presley from the practice squad.

Avant signed a one-year deal worth $1,050,000 during the offseason as a free agent. The former Eagle was brought in to provide veteran leadership after the Panthers cut all-time leading receiver Steve Smith and lost their next three wide receivers in free agency.

Coach Ron Rivera said Tuesday's move was made to give undrafted rookie Philly Brown more opportunities and more vertical speed to the offense in general. Brown caught a 47-yard touchdown pass in Sunday's 19-17 loss to Atlanta.

Rivera said the move had nothing to do with Avant questioning the play calling in the final minutes of the loss, when the Panthers (3-7-1) called three consecutive runs before missing a 46-yard field goal with 1:22 remaining.

"Guys, I have no idea what he said,'' Rivera said before giving players the rest of the week off for their bye. "This had nothing to do with it. And that needs to stop right here.''

Avant told the Charlotte Observer after Carolina's fifth consecutive loss that the Panthers could have been a "little more aggressive'' to give Graham Gano an easier kick.

"I've been in the league a long time,'' Avant said. "I know two things. You never want to give a team a chance to win a game, with how much time was left on the clock. And asking a kicker to make a 50-yard field goal with the game on the line is rough sledding.

"If that's the only option, yes. But if it's not, you want to get as close as you can and think score and play to score a touchdown. Because I'd rather the team have to score a touchdown to win the game than to have to kick a field goal. It's just a lot different. It's a 30-yard difference."

Avant didn't catch a pass against the Falcons. He has only 21 receptions for 201 yards and a touchdown this season.

Rivera said Avant has helped Carolina in terms of leadership, but because he plays basically the same position as rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, he wasn't in a position to contribute.

Benjamin has 52 catches for 769 yards and eight touchdowns.

"You look at what happened in the game [Sunday],'' Rivera said. "You look at what Philly [Brown] has done the last few times he's had an opportunity to play extensively. This is going to facilitate him getting more opportunities.''

The lack of a receiver who can go underneath and deep has allowed opponents to play more man-to-man coverage without worry of receivers getting separation in recent games.

"Philly was a little more explosive than we've seen, and we're excited about seeing him get increased opportunities,'' Rivera said. He added that Brenton Bersin will get more opportunities, as well.

"Philly does some things Jason doesn't do.''

Chandler has been battling a right knee injury for several weeks. He was sent for an MRI after swelling occurred following Sunday's game, and it was decided he needed surgery. Rivera did not know the exact nature of the knee injury.

Rivera said either guard Amini Silatolu or tackles Chris Scott, David Foucault or Mike Remmers will replace Chandler when the Panthers next play, Nov. 30 at Minnesota.

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