The 26-year-old Leonard entered camp as a favorite to win a starting job on the Panthers' revamped defensive line, but failed to crack the rotation and had three tackles in two games. The Panthers didn't immediately replace him Tuesday on the 53-man roster.
Leonard was acquired before the start of last season from Cleveland for a sixth-round draft pick, but played in only two games before breaking his left ankle.
The Panthers gave Leonard a one-year, $1.6 million tender in the offseason. But he was slowed in training camp with a sore knee and missed the Sept. 19 loss to Tampa Bay with an elbow injury.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
