The Carolina Panthers weren't planning on parting ways with outside linebacker Kenny Dyson Jr. this week, until an apparent misunderstanding by the NFL forced their hand.
Dyson was waived this afternoon by the Panthers, who had already let go of eight players on Thursday. Their slew of moves also included the placement of second-year running back Jonathon Brooks on the physically unable to perform list—which, to the team's belief, opened up a ninth roster spot.
But that has not turned out to be the case.
According to Joe Person of The Athletic, the NFL initially told Carolina that Brooks would not count towards their current 90-man roster if placed on the PUP list. That verdict, however, has changed—as the league, per a team spokesperson, flip-flopped on their interpretation of the rule.
Being that Brooks actually does count against the roster, the Panthers had to cut loose another man. And unfortunately for Dyson, he was the next one out.
Brooks, who is now expected to miss the entirety of the 2025 season, sustained a second tear to the ACL in his right knee back in December. The first tear, which happened while playing for the University of Texas in 2023, kept him out for the first 10 games of his rookie campaign.
Person also notes that unless a special exemption is granted, the Panthers will essentially be carrying 89 players all the way through late August.
