SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Defensive end Julius Peppers is among four players who will start Panthers training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, general manager Marty Hurney said on the eve of camp.
The 38-year-old Peppers is coming off offseason shoulder surgery.
"It's hard to put timetables," Hurney said, "but he's a guy that you know is going to be there. When he's ready, he's ready."
Wide receiver Curtis Samuel also will be sidelined at the start of camp, though he's technically on the active/non-football injury list because he experienced soreness on his surgically repaired ankle during workouts leading up to training camp.
With Chris Manhertz also headed to PUP, the Panthers signed Cam Serigne, an undrafted rookie tight end out of Wake Forest, waiving defensive tackle Drew Iddings to make room. Manhertz suffered a Jones fracture in his foot at the end of minicamp last month. Serigne made first-team All-ACC last season catching 44 passes for 556 yards and nine touchdowns. He also 174 receptions for 2,075 yards and 21 touchdowns for his career.
In addition to Peppers and Manhertz, defensive end Bryan Cox (ankle) and wide receiver Fred Ross (hip) are being placed on PUP. Players on PUP and the non-football injury list count toward the 90-man roster limit and can be taken off the list at any point to begin participating in practice.
"With all these guys, this is the category you put them in to give them time," Hurney said. "When they're ready, they'll be passed and activated."
