The Carolina Panthers have released veteran wide receiver Jason Avant, two days after he called out the coaching staff for their questionable play calling down the stretch in the Panthers 19-17 loss against the Atlanta Falcons.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panthers?src=hash">#Panthers</a> have waived WR Jason Avant and promoted WR De'Andre Presley from the practice squad.</p>— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Panthers/status/534760036614955009">November 18, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Panthers coach Ron Rivera disagrees:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Rivera said Avant's release had nothing to do with questioning play calling after Atlanta loss. Said hasn't heard it. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/panthers?src=hash">#panthers</a></p>— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/DNewtonespn/status/534760444775645184">November 18, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Avant was signed to a one-year contract in the offseason. He primarily operated out of the slot in Carolina, putting up 21 catches for 201 yards and a touchdown.
Avant’s release means rookie wide receiver Philly Brown will likely take over the number three receiver role. Unlike Avant, Brown is a talented ball carrier and also has excellent speed, something the Panthers are lacking at the receiver position. Brown has also played well at receiver despite his limited snaps -- he had seven catches for 66 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and caught a 47 yard catch for a touchdown this past Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.