Carolina Panthers cut Michael Oher with 'failed physical' designation

July 20 (UPI) -- Offensive tackle Michael Oher has been in the concussion protocol since September.

On Thursday the Carolina Panthers cut him after he failed a physical.

The inspiration for the 2009 move The Blind Side played in just three games last season before a concussion forced him to be declared inactive for the next seven games. He was later placed on injured reserve.

The team announced the "terminated vested veteran/failed physical" offensive lineman on Thursday.

Oher, 31, joined the Panthers in 2015. He started 16 games during the regular season and three postseason games in his first year with the franchise. The No. 23 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft played his first five seasons for the Baltimore Ravens, before signing with the Tennessee Titans in 2014.

Oher was a member of the 2012 Ravens Super Bowl team.

The move comes after the Panthers fired general manager Dave Gettleman on Monday, just a week before training camp.

Some former players expressed joy after Gettleman lost his job, while coach Ron Rivera was surprised by the move. Oher defended the former general manager.

"While on the plane headed to see concussion specialist Mickey Collins I learned that GM Dave Gettleman has been dismissed," Oher said on Instagram Tuesday. "This is news that I hated to hear...In this business you don't build personal relationships but I can honestly say I had one with Mr. G. He is the only person besides R.V. and Dr. Heyer who has constantly checked on my well being, condition and state of mind in the time that I've been suffering from my injury. Guy really cares about you as a person just not the player. Also he's always interested in how your family is as well. Hated to hear that news, but I know he'll be fine...and for the people who were happy and had something to do with it downstairs, Karma's a MF."

The Panthers hired former general manager Marty Hurney as their interim general manager on Wednesday.

Oher signed a three-year, $21.6 million contract extension with the Panthers last summer.

He's eligible to receive a guaranteed $900,000 of his salary, according to ESPN.