Panthers kick a veteran tight end to the curb hours ahead of preseason debut

Musical chairs in the Carolina Panthers tight end room will only continue.

Right before the first preseason matchup against the New England Patriots, the Panthers released tight end Stephen Sullivan from injured reserve, as reported by Joseph Person of The Athletic .

Carolina settled with Sullivan, who has been sidelined for a week due to a quad issue, The Athletic reported.

As a result of the move, Sullivan still has the potential to sign back with the team at a later point in the season.

Sullivan was a tight end of little use in the Panthers' passing game. During his three seasons in Charlotte, he amassed 14 receptions and 171 receiving yards over 28 appearances.

It marks the second roster shakeup of a busy Thursday for the Panthers. Also a few hours before the Panthers took on the Patriots, the team announced it had released safety Caden Sterns.

Sterns was claimed off waivers by the Panthers on Tuesday. He was released by the team after failing a physical.