Panthers release longtime DE Charles Johnson (Yahoo Sports)

The Carolina Panthers released longtime defensive end Charles Johnson on Thursday, a move that will save the team $11 million under the 2016 NFL salary cap. Johnson started nine games for Carolina in 2015 but struggled with hamstring injuries and missed seven games while on short-term injured reserve. Johnson, who spent all nine seasons with the Panthers, had 63.5 sacks - second most in franchise history.