Panthers release nine players to cut roster to 80

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Kicker MacKenzie Hoambrecker was among nine players released Saturday by the Carolina Panthers.

Also cut were defensive end Kevin Carberry, cornerback DaShane Dennis, receivers Lynzell Jackson, Terrance Metcalf and Daniel Smith, linebacker Corey Jenkins and tackles Albert Toeaina and Quasim Mitchell.

The moves reduce the roster to 80 players. The team must make five more cuts by Tuesday afternoon's deadline. Carolina must reach the regular-season limit of 53 players by Sept. 2.

None of the cuts was unexpected. Hoambrecker was signed early in camp when veteran John Kasay was nursing a sore leg. But Kasay has recovered and kicked field goals of 26, 43, 45 and 53 yards in Thursday's 19-10 exhibition win over Miami, making Hoambecker expendable.

Jenkins played all 16 games as a rookie with Miami in 2003. He has also played for Chicago, and was signed by Carolina in January.