Panthers Plan to Release LB Damien Wilson

The Carolina Panthers are planning to release veteran linebacker Damien Wilson, according to Jordan Schultz of the Score. By doing so, the Panthers will save an estimated $3.6 million in cap space.

In 17 games this past season (five starts), Wilson recorded 38 tackles, four tackles for loss, two QB hits, and two sacks.

"Obviously, we have to do some things this year to get under the cap," said Panthers GM Scott Fitterer at the NFL Combine last week in Indianapolis. "There's a lot of different ways we can create money. Smart ways. We're not just kicking the can down the road. We may have to do that on a couple things, a couple restructures. But if you want to do something bad enough, you'll figure out a way to do it. You just have to make sure that you're not hurting the team two, three years down the road."

Wilson is just the first of a handful "tough decisions" that Fitterer and the Panthers' front office will have to make.