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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner]Cutdown day is the NFL’s circle of life.

For a guy like linebacker Jason Trusnik, it may have been the nine-year veteran’s final day on the job. But for every Trusnik, there’s “a young, dynamic football player” like running back Brandon Wegher.

75 Panthers drove to Bank of America Stadium Saturday morning. 22 had to come off the roster. Chopping 17 percent of a work force in a matter of hours is a brutal reality of the game, yet some who were let go still have a chance.

Few kids grow up dreaming to make the practice squad, but if you’re a 5-foot-9 undrafted rookie, it can be a lifeline.

“It’s an opportunity to still be in this league,” receiver Damiere Byrd said.

“From the beginning my goal was practice squad. As the spring and summer went on, I started seeing myself being able to have a slim chance to make that 53, but either way, I just wanted to still be here.”

When Brenton Bersin heard his name Saturday, many were surprised. Not him.

Bersin had an unspectacular, but solid summer and his sure hands seemed like something the Panthers’ receiving corps could use. But then last Monday happened.

“When we traded for [Kevin] Norwood, I kind of got the hint that we were going to go with those five [receivers],” Bersin said.

At least the Charlotte native has already lived plenty of kids’ dreams. Raise your hand if you ran around the backyard pretending to play for your hometown team. But after playing under the bright lights, having to go back to the practice squad is like waiting to be picked at the playground.

“It’s always a good thing to be called back. I didn’t want to be cut, obviously. But if they need someone to step up, I’ll be ready when called,” Bersin said.

As brutal as final cuts are, it was an accomplishment for Rakim Cox just to get to that point.

After the defensive end went undrafted out of Villanova in 2014, he was picked up by the Vikings, who cut him in training camp. He then landed with the Dolphins before they released him eight days later during the cutdown to 75.

Cox had to take out a loan to keep his hopes alive. Money well spent.

“It definitely makes it worth it because a year ago I was probably at the gym right now depressed and probably just at a bad stage,” Cox said.

“A year later, I’m in an organization on the practice squad and I’m going to keep working because there’s so much more I want to accomplish.”

Of the 22 Panthers who were released Saturday, 10 were brought back. They won’t be dressing on Sundays, but their dreams aren’t far from reality.

“It’s not the home run of being on the 53, but it’s definitely a triple,” Byrd said. “It’s something that I’ll take to develop as a player and the opportunity to be around the league is a blessing.”[vc_row_inner no_margin=”true”][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_raw_html]

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