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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- The Carolina Panthers don't expect to throw big money at free agents this month.

They've already made perhaps their riskiest move by keeping one of their own players.

As NFL free agency began Friday, Panthers general manager Marty Hurney defended his decision a day earlier to restructure linebacker Dan Morgan's contract and keep him on the roster despite his history of concussions.

"In December he was cleared by what we're told was one of the most respected concussion specialists in the league," Hurney said. "At the Senior Bowl, I met with his agent (Drew Rosenhaus) and he said Dan wanted to play for the Panthers again and wanted to continue playing in the NFL, period. Our doctors had been reviewing all the battery of tests Dan went through and had been in touch with the concussion specialist."

Still, the final decision wasn't made until this week, after Hurney met with Morgan, Rosenhaus, coach John Fox and team doctors.

"Our doctors went over all the pertinent information with Dan and his agent," Hurney said. "At that point, Dan reiterated that he wanted to continue his playing career and play for us."

Morgan has suffered at least five concussions since 2003, including two in less than a month last year. After the second concussion -- in the season opener against Atlanta -- doctors told him to sit out the rest of the season.

Studies have shown that players who have suffered multiple concussions are susceptible to more concussions with less contact. There are also concerns about the long-term affects.

The New York Times reported in January that brain damage caused on the football field ultimately led to the suicide of former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Andre Waters. Former New England Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson said he believes multiple concussions have left him absent-minded and frequently depressed.

But Morgan, a Pro Bowl pick in 2004, has said he has no reservations about returning.

"Not at all. I feel fine and from the outside people are always going to draw their own conclusions about how I feel and what happened," Morgan said in January. "But I feel great. I've had a lot of time to heal up. I feel ready to play and I'm excited to come back next season."

With Morgan returning and with linebacker Na'il Diggs signing a one-year contract Friday, the Panthers are bringing back 21 of 22 starters from last year's disappointing 8-8 team.

"Sometimes human nature is trying to tear everything apart when there is disappointment, but I don't think that's the right way to go," Hurney said. "I think we feel good about our nucleus. It's when you keep that and you can add key components in the draft and try to get some rights, if they're there, in free agency, I think we can improve as a football team."

The Panthers will probably try to sign another linebacker as insurance for Morgan. The Panthers also need help on the offensive line, at tight end and in the return game. But Hurney is content to sit out the first two weeks of free agency when most of the big deals happen.

It's unlike last year, when the Panthers gave big contracts to free agents Keyshawn Johnson, Justin Hartwig and Maake Kemoeatu.

"We kind of broke character with what our plan was with free-agency over the past few years and we were a little aggressive in free agency and made some bold moves," Hurney said. "But we did that because we thought that was the best time to do it and those deals would hold up over time.

"We really had planned for quite some time not be going into the high waters of free agency this year."

MIAMI (AP) -- Quarterback Joey Harrington and tight end Randy McMichael were released Monday by the Miami Dolphins, who swung two other deals in new coach Cam Cameron's roster shakeup.

The Dolphins dealt receiver Wes Welker to the New England Patriots for their second- and seventh-round draft picks in April. New England's second-round pick is No. 60 overall.


Miami also signed tight end David Martin to a three-year contract. Martin had 87 receptions for 766 yards and nine touchdowns in six seasons with Green Bay. He caught 21 passes last season and scored a touchdown against Miami.

"David is a talented tight end who will be a major contributor to our offense," Cameron said. "He is very athletic with good speed and is a quality receiver."

The release of Harrington had been expected, in part because he was due a $1 million roster bonus. In his only season with Miami, he went 5-6 as a starter filling in for Daunte Culpepper, then was benched the final game in favor of Cleo Lemon.

Cameron has declined to say whether he expects Culpepper to regain the starting job in 2007. Lemon is a restricted free agent.

Harrington was acquired last offseason from Detroit, where he started 55 games in four seasons.

McMichael was due a $3 million roster bonus, and his contract was terminated after Miami was unable to swing a trade for him.

A starter since his rookie season in 2002, McMichael is the Dolphins' career leader among tight ends with 283 catches for 3,096 yards. He had at least 60 receptions each of the past three years.

"Apparently this was an economic decision," agent Drew Rosenhaus said. "He was surprised, but he's looking forward to a great opportunity elsewhere."

Welker was the Dolphins' third receiver last season, but he led them with a career-high 67 catches, and also returned punts and kickoffs.

"Regarding Randy, Wes and Joey, it is always hard to part ways with individuals who have helped you win in the past," Cameron said. "But it's part of the business, and it's the most difficult aspect of this job."