The Panthers made a series of Panthers roster moves on Tuesday afternoon, with the biggest development being the placement of LaBryan Ray on the reserve/retired list during training camp.
It was a notable change for a 28-year-old veteran who had been part of the team since 2023, after joining following a training camp tryout. Over the last three seasons, Ray appeared in 46 games and made 10 starts, giving the Panthers a steady depth option on the defensive line.
Ray’s exit changes the picture
Ray was not at practice on Tuesday because of personal reasons before the Panthers made the move later in the afternoon. Once he went onto the reserve/retired list, the team also waived Gabriel Benyard and waived-injured Ainias Smith.
That kind of mid-camp churn is not unusual, but it does underline how quickly a roster can change as teams look to keep enough bodies in place for training camp. For the Panthers, the loss of Ray removes a player with experience and familiarity, even if the move appears to have been driven by a separate personal situation.
Panthers add two receivers
To refill the roster after the departures, the Panthers signed Roc Taylor and Elijah Cooks. Both wide receivers now come into the mix as the team continues to manage its numbers and look for depth ahead of the next stage of camp.
For the Panthers, the headline is straightforward: LaBryan Ray is no longer part of the active roster picture, while Taylor and Cooks arrive to help balance out the group. In training camp, those decisions can happen quickly, but they still shape how a team looks from one day to the next.
Tuesday’s moves were another reminder that roster management is not just about the top end of the depth chart. It is also about maintaining enough flexibility, especially when unexpected absences and personal situations force change.
