The Carolina Panthers will release linebacker James Anderson today, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The move will cost the team $4.2 million in dead money in 2013.

For the second time in a week, the organization have elected to part ways with a long-standing veteran. Similar to releasing Chris Gamble, this was another move that made sense. Anderson was, at best, a reliable outside linebacker -- but never worth the contract Marty Hurney awarded him.

Starting twelve games in 2012, Anderson finished with 73 tackles -- his lowest total since 2009. The season was one of his worst statistically, and he was unable to help support Carolina's woeful run defense; they finished the the year as one of the NFL's worst units.

It remains to be seen how the team will look to fill the void. The logical answer is that Jon Beason will move into one of the outside linebacker spots, flanking Luke Kuechly with Beason and Thomas Davis. However, they could also look to the draft to find mid-round depth.