The Carolina Panthers have released defensive tackle Louis Leonard, reports Steve Reed of the Gaston Gazette.

Originally signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent out of Fresno State in 2007, the 6-4, 325-pound Leonard has 33 tackles and a quarterback sack during a 24-game NFL career with the St. Louis Rams (2007), Cleveland Browns (2007-08), and Panthers, who acquired Leonard from the Browns last September.

Leonard suffered a broken ankle in his second game with the Panthers, and was placed on injured reserve.

A restricted free agent this off-season, the Panthers tendered Leonard at the "Original Round" level, which was paying him a non-guaranteed base salary of $1.684 million this season.

Leonard had a pair of tackles against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, his second game of the 2010 season.