The Carolina Panthers overhauled their wide receiver group in the offseason, replacing their top four options from a year ago with rookie Kelvin Benjamin and veterans like Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant.
On Tuesday, the Panthers admitted that the plan wasn't all working. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that Avant has been waived, according to a source informed of the move.
Avant had 21 catches in 11 games, and his criticism of Ron Rivera's tepid approach to the end of Sunday's loss wound up being his final remarks in Carolina.
"I've been in the league a long time," Avant said after the game, via The Charlotte Observer. "I know two things. You never want to give a team a chance to win a game, with how much time was left on the clock. And asking a kicker to make a 50-yard field goal with the game on the line is rough sledding. If that's the only option, yes. But if it's not, you want to get as close as you can and think score and play to score a touchdown."
Rivera said Tuesday that Avant's release was simply a football decision. Rivera said he wasn't even aware of Avant's comments and that the team wants to get their younger receivers like Philly Brown and Brenton Bersin more playing time after the bye week.
The Panthers also activated fullback Mike Tolbert from the injured reserve-designated to return list and placed starting tackle Nate Chandler on IR.
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