Panthers waive former first-round pick

The Carolina Panthers waived former first-round draft pick Rashard Anderson on Thursday, hours after the defensive back was reinstated by the NFL following a suspension of more than two years for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

The former Jackson State star was suspended by the league May 23, 2002. He applied for reinstatement repeatedly over the last 15 months before getting permission to play again Thursday.

NFL teams have 24 hours to put in a claim for the former first-round pick. If he isn’t claimed by 4 p.m. today, he becomes a free agent.

In other news, wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad dislocated a finger during Thursday afternoon’s practice and was forced to leave practice early. Muhammad will be listed as day-to-day.

Around the league

Doug Flutie underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Thursday morning and will miss about two weeks, one of the few injuries of his seemingly endless career. The 41-year-old quarterback had been bothered by soreness in his left knee and hadn’t practiced since Saturday. He tried to return to the Chargers’ training camp afternoon session Wednesday, but was pulled out when the pain returned. … New England has signed yet another veteran to fit in with the younger players on coach Bill Belichick’s defense — Dana Stubblefield, the 1997 NFL defensive player of the year. In 11 NFL seasons, the 33-year-old defensive tackle has played for San Francisco, Washington and Oakland, winning a Super Bowl ring with the 49ers in 1994. … Second-round pick Keiwan Ratliff reached an agreement on a four-year contract with the Bengals. Running back Chris Perry, the team’s first-rounder, remains unsigned. … Vikings center Matt Birk had a hernia operation this week but is expected to play in the season opener against Dallas.