Panthers Cut RB Foster to Clear $4.75 Million in Cap Space

The Carolina Panthers have released 28-year old running back DeShaun Foster, whom they have been unable to find a trade partner for this offseason. Foster showed flashes of the skills that made him the team's 2nd round pick out of UCLA in 2002, but was often set back by various injuries and costly fumbles. He should find a taker in the upcoming free agent market, which is relatively thin at running back, and latch on somewhere as a quality backup.

The roster move frees up about $4.75 million in cap space, and leaves 2006 1st round pick DeAngelo Williams as the team's only legitimate running back threat. Look for the Panthers to either try to pick up a running back in free agency next month, or to perhaps draft one in the middle rounds to complement Williams next year.