Defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer has been awarded to the Panthers on waivers, according to a league source.

Panthers owner Jerry Richardson asked quarterback Cam Newton not to get any tattoos or piercings while he is a Carolina Panther. Should teams be able to restrict players from getting tattoos or piercings? We asked our experts in the latest Instant Debate, and their answers will appear on NFL.com later today.

The Panthers have signed veteran center Ryan Kalil to a five-year extension. Terms weren’t disclosed, but the deal will keep Kalil under contract through 2016.

Hide the women and children. Based on NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks’ training camp report on the Raiders in our most recent Cover Two Podcast, the fans of the Silver & Black might get a little worked up.

Malcom Floyd is nearing a decision on a new team, and several teams remain interested in the receiver, according to league sources.

I expected the Carolina Panthers and first overall pick Cam Newton to reach terms Friday, and the two sides have agreed on a four-year, $22 million contract, according to a league source.

The Panthers and rookie QB Cam Newton are very close to an agreement on a four-year deal, according to league sources.

Veteran LB Jon Beason and the Panthers agreed on a five-year, $50 million contract extension with $25 million guaranteed, according to a league source.

Veteran TE Greg Olsen is heading to the Panthers in a trade from the Bears. Terms of the deal are unknown at this time.

Free-agent DT Derek Landri is receiving significant interest from the Broncos, according to a league source. Landri could visit Denver as early as tomorrow.

For all these months during the lockout, rookie quarterbacks Christian Ponder and Jake Locker looked like they had inside tracks to be their respective teams’ starters. Then we got back to football.

The Panthers continued their busy Wednesday, agreeing to terms with kicker Olindo Mare on a four-year, $12 million deal, according to a league source. Mare will receive a $4 million signing bonus.

Veteran TE Ben Hartsock has agreed to terms on a two-year deal with the Panthers, according to a league source.

With DeAngelo Williams staying in Carolina, fantasy owners will have to deal with yet another backfield committee.

The Panthers are heavily committed to retaining their young core, as I’ve been reporting for months, with pass rusher Charles Johnson chief among them. And he opted to stay with the team Tuesday, agreeing to a six-year, $72 million contract, according to NFL.com’s Steve Wyche, with $32 million guaranteed after the NFC South rival Falcons hotly pursued him.