Carolina Panthers starter abruptly retires on eve Hall of Fame Game vs Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers defensive lineman LaBryan Ray has retired from the NFL, days before the team’s preseason opener.

The Panthers will contest the 2026 Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals in Canton on Thursday night, but will do so without a highly experienced lineman.

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Veteran defensive end Ray, 28, had played more games than anyone else on the current roster through defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s tenure to date, and his retirement weakens Carolina’s depth in the trenches for 2026.

While he wasn’t expected to be the biggest name on the defense, he’s been a proven rotational option for a line that has already navigated significant changes.

The Panthers have placed Ray on the reserve/retired list, and he wasn’t at practice Tuesday, where wide receiver Xavier Legette was carted off.

Head coach Dave Canales initially said he was absent because of personal reasons.

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Panthers lineman retires after four-year NFL career

Ray had played in Carolina since since 2023, when he was signed after a training camp tryout.

He appeared in 46 games across the last three NFL seasons, and made 10 starts.

Before arriving at Bank of America Stadium, Ray had spent time with the New England Patriots.

He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022, having won two national championships with Alabama during his college days.

Ray was initially waived by New England before he returned to the practice squad, and he later signed a reserve/future contract.

He never made it onto the field for regular season action with the Patriots, and instead signed with the Panthers in 2023.

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The defensive end saw him most substantial opportunity come in 2024, when he started nine games in the absence of the injured Derrick Brown.

Following his decision to hang up his cleats, Carolina’s DL room is now down to the aforementioned Brown, Bobby Brown III, Cam Jackson, Lee Hunter, Elijah Garcia, Jared Harrison-Hunte, Aaron Hall, Tywone Malone, Isaiah Smith and Kyon Barrs.

The Panthers’ unofficial depth chart heading into the new season lists Brown III, Jackson and Brown as the first group.

Hunter, Garcia, Harrison-Hunte, Hall, Malone, Smith and Barrs are all expected to compete behind them for playing time.

Ray’s departure, of course, doesn’t force Carolina to replace a full-time starter, but it will be interesting to see who gets some time on the field in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday.

Panthers make decision on Hall of Fame starter

While plenty of positions will be rotated, the Panthers have already confirmed that backup quarterback Kenny Pickett will start against the Cardinals.

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He’s expected to play a few of the opening downs, and the rest of the work will be handled by undrafted rookie Haynes King. Regular season starter Bryce Young is not expected to get a run out.

“I just want to go out there an operate at a high level, play some good football,” Pickett said, previewing the Hall of Fame Game.

“All the hard work we’re doing here, we want to see it come to life on gameday… I think we’re all excited to go.”