Panthers Release Charles Godfrey, Promote Chris Scott From Practice Squad

Bill VothNews, Week 82 Comments

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The Charles Godfrey experiment is over. The former safety, who switched to cornerback this offseason, was released by the Panthers on Tuesday afternoon.

Godfrey struggled in two starts after nickel corner Bené Benwikere suffered a high ankle sprain against the Bears. According to Pro Football Focus, Godfrey gave up completions on 10 of the 11 passes targeted toward him in Cincinnati and Green Bay.

“Making this move was difficult because Charles has been a large part of what we have done since I came to Carolina four years ago,” head coach Ron Rivera said in a statement. “He has always tried to do everything we have asked of him and worked extremely hard. He is an outstanding young man and we wish him the very best.”

Carolina picked up Godfrey in the third round of the 2008 draft. A cornerback at Iowa, he was immediately moved to safety, a position he then played for six seasons.

After tearing his Achilles in Week 2 last year, Godfrey took a pay cut this summer while making the switch to cornerback. He competed with Benwikere at nickel until the rookie eventually bypassed him in the preseason.

It’s unlikely Benwikere will be well enough to play this weekend against the Seahawks, so James Dockery, who played seven defensive snaps against the Packers, could start at nickel Sunday.

The Panthers filled Godfrey’s roster spot by promoting guard Chris Scott from the practice squad. Scott, who Rivera described as in “great shape,” may need to play if Amini Silatolu can’t return from a strained calf he suffered against the Bengals.

Guard Trai Turner won’t play against the Seahawks after he suffered a sprained ankle and knee in Green Bay.

Also on Tuesday, the Panthers added safety Robert Lester and tackle Martin Wallace to the practice squad.

Lester was moved up to the active roster last week, only to be released Saturday to make room for linebacker Adarius Glanton.

Wallace played one game for the Browns as an undrafted rookie last season.



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  • sncsurf

    Bill do you have the numbers on how this will effect our cap. I know he restructured in the off season.

  • SoulCitySigma

    Please tell me Get has his eye on a free agent strong safety