Panthers released S Haruki Nakamura with an injury settlement.

Carolina placed Nakamura on injured reserve with a concussion Monday. The Panthers are moving forward with Quintin Mikell, Charles Godfrey, and Mike Mitchell as their top three safeties. Nakamura is overmatched as a defensive player.

Panthers placed S Haruki Nakamura (concussion) on injured reserve, ending his season.

Nakamura had been running as the No. 3 safety throughout the preseason. He'll hit free agency next season and is unlikely to land anything more than a minimum deal. The Panthers have upgraded by signing Quintin Mikell.

ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas considers S Haruki Nakamura a likely starter in the Panthers' secondary.

Yikes. Nakamura was perhaps the largest liability in Carolina's 2012 defensive backfield, but the Panthers don't have compelling alternatives. Yasinskas acknowledges Nakamura "should" be a backup; he's best suited to special teams. Expect him to face competition from Mike Mitchell and rookie Robert Lester.

The Panthers reworked S Haruki Nakamura's contract so that he's now only signed through 2013.

The sides ripped up Nakamura's old three-year, $4.8 million deal, and he essentially now has a brand-new one-year, $815,000 contract with $300,000 more available in incentives. He got a $65,000 signing bonus. Nakamura isn't assured of a roster spot, but he now has the contract of a strict special teamer.

The Panthers could free up nearly $1 million in cap room by cutting S Haruki Nakamura.

Nakamura wasn't terrible in 2012, but his play left a lot to be desired. He was the main culprit in the team's Week 4 last-second loss to the Falcons. Nakamura failed to adjust to two deep passes intended for Roddy White in the game, giving up an early 49-yard touchdown and then a final-minute 59-yard completion when the Falcons were backed up at their own one-yard line. Nakamura finished the 2012 season on injured reserve with a groin injury.

Panthers S Haruki Nakamura is reportedly out for the season after aggravating his groin injury in Week 14.

He's expected to be placed on injured reserve shortly. With Sherrod Martin's (knee) season over and Charles Godfrey battling a back injury, the Panthers finished last week's game with D.J. Campbell and Colin Jones at safety. They will have to sign a street free agent for depth. Nakamura was exposed as a subpar starter in his first year with the Panthers. Look for the team to upgrade the position in 2013.

The Panthers are not benching FS Haruki Nakamura.

Nakamura was the scapegoat for Sunday's loss after getting burned for two touchdowns by Roddy White, but the Panthers' lack of a viable alternative has saved him for at least one more week. A similarly ineffective Sherrod Martin is waiting in the wings if Nakamura falters again in Week 5.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera indicated Monday that the team is considering benching FS Haruki Nakamura.

Nakamura has been toasted relentlessly since "beating out" Sherrod Martin in camp. Rivera said Martin would see increased first-team reps in practice this week. Martin played poorly both in coverage and against the run as a starter last season. The Panthers aren't going to fix their mess with either player.

Panthers FS Haruki Nakamura is expected to start over Sherrod Martin in the season opener.

The Panthers threw the position open to competition and Ed Reed's former backup won out. The coaching staff cites Nakamura's play-making ability, communication and postseason pedigree as his greatest assets. Martin was a liability as a 2011 starter, missing too many tackles.

Panthers FS Haruki Nakamura started over incumbent Sherrod Martin in Saturday's preseason opener.

The two rotated series and the competition figures to run well into the preseason. Nakamura was signed to a three-year deal in March after spending a majority of the last four seasons as a special teamer in Baltimore.

The Charlotte Observer confirms FS Haruki Nakamura will compete for a starting job this season.

The Panthers believe Nakamura can push incumbent starter Sherrod Martin, who will be coming off a disappointing 2011 campaign. Primarily a special teamer, Nakamura had been stuck behind safeties Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard in Baltimore. He played just 39 defensive snaps last season.

Haruki Nakamura's three-year deal with the Panthers is reportedly worth $4.8 million, with $1.3 million guaranteed.

According to the Charlotte Observer's Joe Person, escalators can increase the contract's total value to $5.5 million. Nakamura, 25, is expected to compete for a starting job this season with the Panthers after playing just 39 defensive snaps with Baltimore in 2011.

Panthers agreed to terms with S Haruki Nakamura on a three-year contract, according to Scout.com's Aaron Wilson.

Nakamura has been a premier special teamer since entering the league as a sixth-round pick in 2008. He played just 39 defensive snaps last year, according to Pro Football Focus, but Nakamura has the skills to merit a bigger role. Coming off a disappointing season, FS Sherrod Martin could be on the hot seat.

Free agent S Haruki Nakamura will visit the Panthers Thursday.

Nakamura, who played behind Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard last season, is in search of more playing time than the Ravens are able to offer. The Panthers used Charles Godfrey and Sherrod Martin at safety a year ago.

Free agent S Haruki Nakamura has hinted he's unlikely to re-sign with the Ravens.

"I would love to be back with the Ravens, but I also want the opportunity to compete for more playing time," Nakamura said. With Bernard Pollard and Ed Reed entrenched at safety, Nakamura played just 34 defensive snaps last season. The Baltimore Sun expects the Colts and Bengals to be among the teams to give Nakamura a look on the open market.

The Baltimore Sun doesn't expect the Ravens to re-sign free agent safeties Haruki Nakamura and Tom Zbikowski.

Beat writer Jeff Zrebiec believes both players will be able to find "decent contracts" and more playing time on the open market. Nakamura made just 12 tackles in a reserve role last season, while Zbikowski was benched in favor of Bernard Pollard and missed two games with a concussion. Zrebiec reports the Colts, Titans and Bengals could all have interest in Nakamura.

Ravens FS Haruki Nakamura isn't sure whether he'll be back with the Ravens next season.

Nakamura has been with the Ravens since 2008 and is primarily used on special teams and as a backup safety. "It will be interesting to see how it works out," Nakamura said. "It would be great to be back here, but it's a business and we've got to figure out what's going on." The Ravens have until March 13 to finalize a decision.

Ravens HC John Harbaugh revealed Monday S Haruki Nakamura's PCL injury will hold him out for roughly a month.

A nice break after Harbaugh seemed pessimistic on Nakamura's status following Sunday's win. A special teamer and reserve safety, Nakamura's absence should lead to more snaps for Bernard Pollard.

Ravens S Haruki Nakamura suffered a PCL injury in Sunday's win over St. Louis.

He's scheduled for a Monday MRI. Coach John Harbaugh only stated after the game that there's "some hope" that Nakamura avoided a significant injury. He's been playing special teams and operating as Baltimore's No. 3/4 safety.

Haruki Nakamura is expected to battle Tom Zbikowski for the starting strong safety job if free agent Dewan Landy flies the coop.

Landry is coming off a career-high 111 tackles after starting all 16 games last season. He'll return to Baltimore if five-year veterans are ruled RFAs, but the Ravens aren't expected to match offers if he ends up hitting the open market. Zbikowski would be the favorite should Landry sign elsewhere.