"Pro Bowl running back DeAngelo Williams became the latest Carolina Panther to be placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

The injury turned out to be more severe than first believed.

Williams missed the last three games with a foot sprain he suffered in the closing minutes of a win over San Francisco and could never make it back. The Panthers decided to shut him down rather than wait another few weeks for him to return.

"It was healing a little slower than originally expected and we needed a roster spot," coach John Fox said.

Fox said it would have been at least another two or three weeks before Williams could have returned.

Williams was not available to speak with the media on Wednesday, but his close friend Jonathan Stewart described him as "frustrated."

"He's a warrior and a competitor," Stewart said. "He's a guy who wants to compete, so it's definitely something he's frustrated by."

After rushing for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2008 and 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns in 2009, Williams managed just 361 yards and one touchdown in six games this season.

It's possible, though not likely, that Williams has played his final game for the Panthers.

He'll become a free agent after the season, although the new collective bargaining agreement – if and when it's agreed upon – will dictate whether he's an unrestricted or restricted free agent and whether or not the Panthers can use a franchise tag to protect him. Of course, given the Panthers depth at running back they could look to spend their money elsewhere.

In the meantime, it's looking like Mike Goodson will make his second straight start for the Panthers this week against Baltimore."