CHARLOTTE -- Apparently the Carolina Panthers had seen enough of Kentwan Balmer in practice.
   The team waived him prior to Thursday night's game without ever seeing him in a game. The Panthers claimed him last Thursday night off waivers from Seattle prior to their game against Cincinnati, but he didn't play. He practiced all week, but the team let him go just a couple of hours before kickoff.

   Coach Ron Rivera talked about Balmer possibly being a better fit in the 4-3 defense than the 3-4 scheme.
   Balmer's stint in Carolina will probably best be remembered for his failure to save tight end Ben Hartsock from choking on a piece of meat in the team lunch room. After Hartsock got a piece of pork tenderloin stuck in his throat, Balmer unsuccessfully gave him the Heimlich manuever. When he failed, teammate Jeremy Shockey stepped in and administered the Heimlich and dislodged the meat from Hartsock's throat.
   Earlier in the day, the Panthers claimed fullback Jerome Felton off waivers from Detroit and released fullback Rashawn Jackson. Felton is in uniform, although it's unclear if he'll play.

   --RB DeAngelo Williams is not in uniform tonight and will get the night off. Among the others out are LB Jon Beason, CB Brandon Hogan, FB Tony Fiammetta, G Mackenzy Bernadeau, WR Kealoha Pilares and S Sherrod Martin.