Carolina Panthers lose punter Palardy to torn ACL
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have lost punter Michael Palardy for the season because of a knee injury.
The team placed Palardy on the reserve/non-football injury list on Tuesday after he tore his left ACL earlier this offseason. Palardy had hoped to play through the injury, but the team decided he needed surgery.
The injury explains why the Panthers signed undrafted rookie punter Joseph Charlton last week.
Palardy has been Carolina's punter since midway through the 2016 season. He beat out veteran Andy Lee in 2017 to keep the job. The left-footed Palardy averaged 46 yards per punt last season.
The Panthers also announced left tackle and former second-round draft pick Greg Little will start camp on the active/physically unable to perform list with a knee issue. The active/PUP list means a player has not yet passed his physical, although Little’s absence is not expected to be long-term.
Undrafted rookie offensive lineman Branden Bowen will begin camp on the active/reserve list with a non-football illness.
Undrafted rookie linebacker Jordan Mack has opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is the first Carolina player to opt out, although Mack would have faced an uphill battle to make the roster.
Carolina waived offensive lineman Juwann Bushell-Beatty, who had played for the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks and Houston Renegades before the league’s season was canceled in March.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
Construction Halted at New Tennessee Titans Stadium After Noose Found Onsite
NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell Resigns, Citing 'Distraction'
Meet Lenny Krieg, a German Native Competing for the Falcons’ Kicking Job
2025 NFL Playoff Odds: Which Teams Are Bettors Backing To Make Postseason?
2025 NFL Free Agency Tracker: TJ Watt Becomes Highest-Paid Non-QB in NFL History
2025 NFL Odds: Early Week 1 Best Bets For Chargers-Chiefs, Vikings-Bears
2025 NFL Predictions, Picks: 3 OPOY Wagers To Make Now
T.J. Watt Extension Was Essential to Prove Steelers Are All-In for 2025
Construction Halted at New Tennessee Titans Stadium After Noose Found Onsite
NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell Resigns, Citing 'Distraction'
Meet Lenny Krieg, a German Native Competing for the Falcons’ Kicking Job
2025 NFL Playoff Odds: Which Teams Are Bettors Backing To Make Postseason?
2025 NFL Free Agency Tracker: TJ Watt Becomes Highest-Paid Non-QB in NFL History
2025 NFL Odds: Early Week 1 Best Bets For Chargers-Chiefs, Vikings-Bears
2025 NFL Predictions, Picks: 3 OPOY Wagers To Make Now
T.J. Watt Extension Was Essential to Prove Steelers Are All-In for 2025