Tillman has decided to retire from the NFL, Jonathan Jones of the Observer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tillman expressed a desire to remain with the Panthers for the upcoming season, but after coming off a torn ACL, the team likely didn't want to take the risk of rostering the 13-year veteran. Instead, he'll hang up his cleats and end his career playing 12 seasons with the Bears and one with the Panthers. Tillman will be best known as a two-time Pro Bowler (2011, 2012), a one-time First-Team All-Pro (2012) and a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2013).

Tillman (knee) is hopeful to resign with the Panthers but won't be ready for a few more months after undergoing knee surgery in January, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

In an interview over the weekend at former Bears' teammate Matt Forte's football camp, Tillman told reporters, "I just want to play for Carolina." However head coach Ron Rivera has consistently reiterated throughout the offseason that the team feels no urgency to sign a veteran cornerback. Once fully healthy, Tillman seems like a favorable to bring back if the Panthers are looking to add more depth at corner but until then it appears the 35-year-old will be waiting in the wings.

Tillman (knee) will have surgery to repair his torn ACL on Wednesday, the Charlotte Observer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tillman has already been placed on season-ending injured reserve after tearing his ACL in Week 17. While his veteran wisdom should be valuable to the Panthers' secondary going forward, his injury adds to teammates Bene Benwikere's to leave Carolina a bit thin in that area. At the time, Tillman has reportedly not made a decision about retirement, but that will probably come some time after the Panthers' season ends.

Tillman (knee) has been placed on injured reserve, Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tillman was playing with a partially torn ACL, knowing that he could suffer a full tear at any moment. It finally happened in Week 17, leaving the Carolina secondary without two of its top three cornerbacks for the playoffs, as Bene Benwikere suffered a broken leg bacj in Week 14. Robert McClain will likely be the new starter across from Josh Norman, with Cortland Finnegan serving as the nickelback. Set to turn 35 in February, Tillman will likely give some thought to retirement, despite proving that he's still a starting-caliber player. If he does decide to come back, he'll face a serious challenge to be ready by Week 1. Either way, he'll be universally regarded as one of his generation's top defensive backs, likely garnering serious consideration for the Hall of Fame.

Tillman (knee) suffered a torn ACL during Sunday's win over the Buccaneers, the Charlotte Observer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tillman will miss the remainder of this season, potentially bringing his wildly successful 13-year career to an end as well. The 34-year-old had been playing through a partially torn ACL, so Sunday's injury was a known risk taken by the veteran. With Tillman out, Robert McClain is expected to start at cornerback opposite Josh Norman.

Tillman tallied five tackles (four solo), an interception and a forced fumble in Sunday's win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Tillman returned to the field in a big way on Sunday after a knee injury kept him out of the last four games. The veteran corner was responsible for two turnovers, including the only interception in the game, and he made a big impact on the edge from a tackling perspective. Tillman doesn't hold a ton of value as an IDP, but he does get a lot of passes thrown his way with teammate Josh Norman on the other side of the field.

Tillman (knee) is active Sunday against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

After putting in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday, Tillman put in a full session on Friday and will be back in the lineup at right cornerback after missing four games. On the season, he's posted only a single interception to go along with 43 tackles.

Tillman (knee) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Tillman logged full practices Wednesday and Friday, sandwiched around a limited showing Thursday. His expected return carries added importance, as the Panthers recently lost fellow cornerback Bene Benwikere (leg) for the remainder of the season. Tillman should thus be locked in as an every-down player across from Josh Norman, with Cortland Finnegan likely manning the slot.

Tillman (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

In the aftermath of drills, head coach Ron Rivera tabbed Tillman as "practice tired," according to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer. The comments are one day removed from Rivera calling Tillman "a little rusty" after a full practice showing, placing a question mark over his potential to return from a four-game absence Sunday versus the Giants in New York.

Tillman (knee) practiced fully Wednesday, Bryan Strickland of the Panthers' official site reports. Afterward, head coach Ron Rivera said, "He had a good day and did everything in the live drills, showing all the movements you need to have in your corner. He was a little rusty - the conditioning wasn't where it needed to be - but he moved around good...The biggest test will be tomorrow to make sure everything is fine, and then we'll go from there."

EDGE Analysis

The aforementioned rustiness isn't a surprise after missing the past four games with a hyperextended right knee, but Tillman appears on track to return Sunday against the Giants in New York. Nonetheless, he must navigate practice this week without a setback to ensure that comes to fruition.