The Carolina Panthers released James Anderson, the team's all-time leader in games played by a linebacker, in a financially related move on Tuesday.
Anderson appeared in 94 games over seven seasons with Carolina and started a total of 45 games over the past three years, topping the club in tackles in both 2010 (130) and 2011 (145). The 29-year-old recorded 73 stops with two passes defensed over 12 outings this past campaign.
Carolina deemed the 2006 third-round choice expendable due to the emergence of reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Luke Kuechly and the expected return of veteran Jon Beason, who played in just four games last season before landing on injured reserve.
The Panthers were up against the salary cap as well heading into the free- agency period, which also prompted last week's release of top cornerback Chris Gamble.
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