1.) Because they were perilously thin at CB for their trip to New Orleans, the Panthers moved Lou Young to the active roster on Saturday.
2.) To make room, they released TE Scott Simonson.
3.) That left Greg Olsen and Ed Dickson as the only TEs on the roster.
4.) Most NFL teams carry at least three TEs.
5.) With James Bradberry and Robert McClain expected back after the bye, and with Leonard Johnson now eligible to return from offseason Achilles surgery, the Panthers didn’t need to keep Young on the roster.
6.) They were intrigued by TE Chris Manhertz, who was released by New Orleans on Saturday.
7.) The 6-foot-6, 255-pound Manhertz made his NFL debut in Week Two. He didn’t record a catch in three games and 43 snaps. He also played 25 snaps on special teams.
8.) Like Brandon Williams and Eric Wallace, Manhertz is a former college basketball player.
9.) It’s unlikely the Panthers are expecting the Canisius product to supplement Olsen and Dickson in the passing game.
10.) Every NFL team churns the bottom of their roster throughout the season when it’s a bit too late to find season-saving help at, say, CB and DE.