A layer such as for example a tissue thickness compensator (80020) for an end effector (80005) of a surgical instrument (10) can comprise compressible (80022) and non compressible (80024 80025) portions. The tissue thickness compensator can be positioned in the end effector such as adjacent to a deck surface (80011) of a fastener cartridge (80000) that is positioned in the end effector. The tissue thickness compensator can be maintained in a compressed state and can be released from the compressed state by a cutting member (80080) of the end effector.
