Sep 2, 2007, 4:42 GMT
Charlotte, NC - Running back Eric Shelton, a second-round pick in the 2005 Draft, was among the 19 players waived by the Carolina Panthers as part of Saturday's 'cut-down day' moves.
Shelton, the No. 54 overall pick out of Louisville in '05, was never a factor in two seasons with Carolina. The big-bodied back missed all of his rookie year with a foot injury, and barely made the roster in 2006 before appearing in just nine games. Shelton carried eight times for 23 yards in '06, also catching one pass for six yards out of the backfield.
Also released on Saturday were defensive end Dave Ball, guard D'Anthony Batiste, quarterback Dalton Bell, wide receiver Taye Biddle, linebacker Philippe Gardent, defensive tackle Gary Gibson, tackle Bobby Harris, fullback Steven Jackson, fullback Billy Latsko, cornerback Christian Morton, safety Cam Newton, linebacker Mickey Pimentel, tackle Rueben Riley, cornerback Derrick Strait, tight end Chad Upshaw, tackle Kenyatta Walker, tackle Theodric Watson, safety C.J. Wilson, and wide receiver Kevin Youngblood.
Of that group, notables include Biddle, who opened eyes with two long touchdown catches against the Giants in the first week of the preseason; cornerback Christian Morton, who opened two games and played in seven for Carolina last season; Walker, a former starting tackle in Tampa Bay; and Wilson, the team's seventh-round Draft pick out of Baylor.
In other moves on Saturday, Carolina moved defensive tackle Stephen Williams to season-ending injured reserve, and placed tackle Jeremy Bridges on the reserve/suspended list. Bridges will miss the first two games of the regular season after being arrested on assault charges in July.
The Panthers open the regular season on Sept. 9, when they'll travel to meet the St. Louis Rams.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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