Panthers cut Clowney, Granger; RB Brooks put on PUP list - ESPN

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers are moving on from three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney after just one season, the team announced Thursday.

It was one of several moves announced by the Panthers before the start of their rookie minicamp Friday. Carolina also placed running back Jonathon Brooks, a second-round pick in 2024, on the physically able to perform list as he recovers from his second ACL injury to his right knee in 13 months. He will miss the entire 2025 season.

The team had shopped Clowney, a native of nearby Rock Hill, South Carolina, ahead of the NFL draft, a source had told ESPN late last month.

Clowney, 32, was due to count $13.775 million against the 2025 salary cap in the second year of a two-year, $20 million deal.

But his release had as much to do with Carolina wanting to get free agent acquisition Pat Jones II and two Southeastern Conference draft picks on the field as it did about money.

Jones had a career-best seven sacks with only one start last year for the Minnesota Vikings. Carolina drafted Nic Scourton of Texas A&M in the second round and Princely Umanmielen of Ole Miss in the third on Day 2 of the draft.

Clowney had only 5.5 sacks last season with the Panthers after having 9.5 the previous year with the Baltimore Ravens.

Carolina also waived injured former Coastal Carolina basketball player Colin Granger, who was attempting to transition to tight end. He suffered a hamstring injury during offseason workouts, per a league source.

Veteran tight end Jordan Matthews was another player released.

The decision to move on from Clowney came as no surprise. General manager Dan Morgan was noncommittal on two separate questions during the draft on whether he was in the team's plans.

Befor