They've already had to say goodbye to three backup offensive lineman and now starting cornerback Ken Lucas.
TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY
With almost no cap room to spend, the Panthers have been extremely quiet in free agency and their name hasn't been linked to any free agents at this point.
The release of cornerback Ken Lucas could change some things, opening $2.37 million in salary cap space. Prior to that move the team has less than $500,000 in cap space available, the least of any team in the league.
The Panthers are strapped because of committing nearly $17 million to defensive end Julius Peppers.
TEAM NEEDS
1. Defensive end: The Panthers still need to find a replacement for Julius Peppers in case the team can't find a trade partner and he winds up holding out.
2. Defensive tackle: One of Carolina's weaknesses last year was a lack of depth in the middle of the line. The Panthers need to add a body here to help out Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu.
3. Offensive line. After losing their top three backups in a span of four days, Carolina's offensive line depth has been depleted.
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: DE Julius Peppers: Tendered at $16.683M.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS:
--LB Donte Curry is a moderate special teams player who can be had on the cheap.
--KR
Mark Jones is a quality reliable returner the team would like to have back. But they have other options in Ryne Robinson and Jason Carter.
--LS Jason Kyle is an extremely reliable long snapper who the team would like to have back. But he might test the market.
--LB Adam Seward wants out of Carolina and would like to play in a 3-4 defense - or simply play on defense.
--DT Darwin Walker was inactive for the team's playoff game against Arizona despite having more playoff experience than any player on the roster, so that should tell you all you need to know about his chances of returning to Carolina.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered)
--WR Jason Carter (not tendered as ERFA).
--DT Gary Gibson (not tendered as RFA) was a backup tackle last year and went on IR late in the season with a hand injury.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--LB James Anderson (tendered at $1.01M with third-round pick as compensation) has contributed little other than on special teams.
--TE Jeff King (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) has been a three-year starter.
--S Nate Salley (tendered at $1.01M with fourth-round pick as compensation) hasn't played all that much but the Panthers still like his game.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--DT Nick Hayden (tendered at $385,000) actually started toward the end of his rookie season in 2008 after getting cut in training camp. The team likes him and he'll be back.
--CB C.J. Wilson (tendered at $385,000) is a guy the Panthers really like and he could wind up being the No. 3 or 4 cornerback in 2009. The team may cut Ken Lucas, which would allow Wilson to move up the depth chart. He's a former safety with good cover skills.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--OT Jordan Gross: Potential UFA; 6 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--QB Brett Basanez: FA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS LOST
--OG Jeremy Bridges (released).
--RB Nick Goings (released).
--WR D.J. Hackett (released).
--OG Geoff Hangartner: UFA Bills; $9.6M/4 yrs, guarantees unknown.
--CB Ken Lucas (released).
--OT Frank Omiyale: UFA Bears; $11.5M/4 yrs, $5.5M SB.
--DT J'Vonne Parker: Not tendered as ERFA/Broncos; terms unknown.