Joey Slye's time with the Carolina Panthers has come to an end.
The club announced Saturday that it has decided to release the popular kicker after two seasons. The move comes on the heels of Slye's tumultuous training camp and preseason, as well as Carolina's acquisition of Ryan Santoso on Thursday.
"He is a wonderful person," coach Matt Rhule said of Slye following Friday night's win over the Steelers. "He has worked really hard. He has made a lot of kicks. He has done a lot of good things. He is just in one of those places right now where he is struggling. When you struggle at a lot of other positions, people don't know it. When you struggle at that position, unfortunately it is magnified."
A fan favorite since joining the Panthers in 2019, Slye struggled in the team's two exhibitions, missing three of his eight field goal attempts. Amid a heated kicker competition in recent weeks, Slye was unable to hold onto his spot atop the depth chart.
Slye departs Carolina with 54 made field goals in 68 attempts in 32 games played.
Carolina also waived tackle Martez Ivey, wide receiver Ishmael Hyman, linebacker Paddy Fisher and linebacker Jonathan Celestin, waived/injured running back Darius Clark and released safety Doug Middleton.
Injuries/COVID-19
- Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins was ruled out of Saturday's game against Washington after suffering a knee injury on the opening drive. Coach John Harbaugh said afterward he will undergo tests Sunday. Receivers Deon Cain and Binjimen Victor were evaluated for concussions.
- Washington Football Team cornerback Torry McTyer was ruled out versus the Ravens after being evaluated for a possible concussion.
- Indianapolis Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger suffered a sprained ACL that will sideline him about four weeks, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. The rare injury will not require surgery, Rapoport added. The rookie's absence puts Jacob Eason in line to start the Colts' season opener if Carson Wentz is not available.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn was held out of Saturday's game against Tampa Bay because of a pulled muscle, NFL Network's James Palmer reported. Safety Justin Reid handled kicking duties.
- Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Ryan Bates sustained a hand injury against the Green Bay Packers. Defensive tackle Brandin Bryant left the game with a concussion. Receiver Marquez Stevenson was evaluated for a head injury.
- The Tennessee Titans was without offensive line assistant Jason Houghtaling, rookie receiver Racey McMath and WRs coach Rob Moore against the Bears because of COVID protocols, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. The Titans have added a number of names, includes coach Mike Vrabel and Ryan Tannehill, to their COVID list this month amid a growing cluster of cases/close contacts. Vrabel and Tannehill remain out after testing positive.
- Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said offensive tackle La'el Collins exited Friday's practice early because of a neck/shoulder stinger that "doesn't seem of a serious nature." Collins did not practice Saturday.
- The Miami Dolphins placed Vince Biegel on injured reserve.
Preseason news
- Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman and Los Angeles Rams defensive back J.R. Reed were each fined $5,556 for unnecessary roughness/unsportsmanlike conduct in last week's preseason game, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Former Raiders cornerback Rasul Douglas was fined $5,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct in the same game. Las Vegas cut Douglas on Aug. 23; he signed with the Texans two days later.
- The NFL fined Buffalo Bills linebacker Andre Smith $5,806 for the high hit that knocked off Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields' helmet in the fourth quarter of last week's preseason game.
- The NFL announced New York Giants defensive end Ryan Anderson has been suspended without pay for the first six games of the regular season for violating the NFL Policy and Program on Performance Enhancing Substances. Anderson can play on Sunday against the Patriots, but would not be eligible to return to the active roster until Oct. 18.
Trades
- The Jacksonville Jaguars dealt quarterback Gardner Minshew to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2022 conditional sixth-round pick.
- The Miami Dolphins are acquiring veteran center Greg Mancz from the Baltimore Ravens in a deal that will involve a late-round pick swap, Rapoport reported.
Roster signings
- The San Francisco 49ers announced they have signed wide receiver River Cracraft to a one-year deal. He appeared in nine games with the Niners last year, tallying six receptions and five punt returns.
- The Indianapolis Colts claimed tight end Kahale Warring off waivers from the Patriots.
Roster cuts
- The San Francisco 49ers waived wide receiver Richie James, who is set to miss six weeks with a knee injury.
- The Minnesota Vikings waived center Cohl Cabral, defensive tackle Zeandae Johnson and running back Ito Smith.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers released tight end Marcus Baugh, running back Tony Brooks-James, cornerback Shakur Brown, defensive tackle T.J. Carter, wide receiver Anthony Johnson, cornerback Lafayette Pitts, offensive guard Malcolm Pridgeon, wide receiver Mathew Sexton and safety Lamont Wade.
