SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Reserve safety J.T. Ibe was waived by the Carolina Panthers shortly after he delivered an illegal hit to the head of Keith Kirkwood that sent the wide receiver to the hospital in an ambulance during Tuesday's practice, the team's first in pads.

Coach Matt Rhule called Ibe's hit on which the rookie out of South Carolina led with the shoulder and helmet to Kirkwood's helmet "completely unacceptable'' and "not what we'll do.''

"I don't want anyone to get hurt,'' Rhule said. "I just recognize how much work guys put in, how important this time is for them. As a man, as a person, I don't like seeing anyone laying there in pain.''

Rhule said Kirkwood, a fourth-year NFL player that he also coached at Temple, had movement in his legs and didn't have pain in his hands or neck. He said the immediate report from Carolina's medical staff was positive and called the trip to the hospital precautionary.

Kirkwood went into the air attempting to catch a pass from backup quarterback PJ Walker when Ibe delivered the blow. Kirkwood immediately went to the ground and laid out flat. There was an eerie silence as trainers rushed to stabilize the player on a plank.

Players and coaches gathered around and took a knee. Silence engulfed the practice fields at Wofford College.

The silence was broken temporarily as players gave a soft applause as Kirkwood was carted off.

Rhule then gathered the team and kicked Ibe out of practice after talking to several other players about the hit.

Practice resumed after a 12-minute stoppage.

Kirkwood missed most of last season with a shoulder injury and has seen his career plagued by injuries.

"We were praying for him out there,'' quarterback Sam Darnold said after practice. "We've got to do a better job of taking care of each other out there.

"All of us are going to keep competing, but obviously you have to play safe and keep each other up.''