Hayden Hurst: Released by Carolina

The Panthers released Hurst on Wednesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Hurst made it through just one season of a three-year, $21.75 million contract and will be cut loose even though most of his 2024 salary is guaranteed. A concussion cost him the final eight games of 2023, with reports of post-traumatic amnesia perhaps bringing retirement into consideration for the 30-year-old tight end. Hurst should have some interest around the league if he wants to keep playing, though it'll be on a much smaller contract than what he signed last offseason. He cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in January.