Panthers continue 2021 restructuring by releasing three more players

By Richard Walker
The Carolina Panthers continued their 2021 restructuring by releasing three more players.

The team announced the release of defensive end Stephen Weatherly and punter Michael Palardy. The team also reportedly released safety Tre Boston, a former University of North Carolina standout.

Earlier this week, the team released veteran defensive tackle Kawann Short.

The departure of the four players reportedly will create more than $27 million in NFL salary cap space.

Carolina’s transactions come during a week in which the NFL informed its teams the 2021 salary cap would be at least $180 million, which is a $5 million increase from the previously expected $175 million.

Weatherly signed with the Panthers as a free agent last offseason, then started the first nine games of the season before the team placed him on injured reserve due to a finger injury.

Palardy didn’t play last season after an offseason knee injury.

The move to release Boston reportedly can’t become official until March 17.

A fourth-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Boston has played five of his seven NFL seasons with the Panthers and started 48 of his 78 games with the franchise. He’s had 271 tackles, seven pass interceptions and two fumble recoveries in those five seasons. Boston also started 28 of 30 games in two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers (2017) and Arizona Cardinals (2018).