Zylstra, 29, caught a career-best 18 passes for 250 yards and one touchdown last season in Carolina and was re-signed to a one-year deal. But with the additions of Rashard Higgins and Laviska Shenault this year, Zylstra is squeezed out of a roster spot.

Zylstra was a surprisingly large part of the Panthers' offense last season, playing ahead of second-round rookie Terrace Marshall when he was healthy. He will compete for a similar role in camp, but the Panthers should probably be aiming higher for their No. 3 receiver spot. New signing Rashard Higgins is probably that person. 

Zylstra was competing with Terrace Marshall in Carolina's slot role prior to injury, totaling 8/139/1 in five appearances to start the year. He will take the place of either Keith Kirkwood or Alex Erickson on the active roster in Week 10.

It's a significant absence since Zylstra usurped Terrace Marshall from the slot in Week 6, running a route on a season-high 69% of Sam Darnold's dropbacks between D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson. Zylstra actually ran 16 more routes than Marshall (29-13) in all as the latter, again thrust into three-wide sets, has meandered for eight total targets and 4/25 receiving in three games without Christian McCaffrey and Dan Arnold this year. He'll continue to play that role for Carolina without Zylstra in the interim.