The Carolina Panthers are moving on (at least for now) from a pretty recent investment.
As first reported by Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer on Tuesday morning, the team is waiving linebacker Brandon Smith. The 22-year-old was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.
A native of Henrico, Va., Smith attended Pennsylvania State University from 2019 to 2021. There, he totaled 117 combined tackles (6.0 for a loss), two interceptions, a fumble recovery and half a sack over 24 games.
Despite trading up to select him two springs ago, the Panthers did not get much from the athletic 6-foot-3, 241-pound backer. He appeared in 12 games during his rookie season, with 193 of his 246 snaps coming on special teams.
He was on the field for 53 defensive looks, headlined by a start in the Week 14 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Before succumbing to a season-ending ankle injury, he finished the campaign with eight combined tackles.
