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Another Band-Aid in the Panthers’ defensive backfield has finally come off. Cornerback Antoine Cason was released Tuesday after he gave up one of the Vikings’ touchdowns on Sunday.

Cason was benched for the second time this season when he overran receiver Greg Jennings, who then turned up the field for a touchdown late in the second quarter. Cason was also pulled at halftime from the Panthers’ Week 9 loss against the Saints.

He was signed this offseason in large part due to his familiarity with head coach Ron Rivera and defensive backs coach Steve Wilks, who spent time with Cason when they were with the Chargers.

Bené Benwikere replaced Cason on Sunday, and the Panthers will likely continue taking a look at the rookie on the outside, while playing Colin Jones inside at nickel corner. Melvin White, who started seven games at outside corner this season, has not played a defensive snap since Week 10.

Cason joins Charles Godfrey as cornerbacks released in the last five weeks.

Like Cason, free safety Thomas DeCoud was benched Sunday after he was beaten for a first-half touchdown. Fourth-round rookie Tre Boston replaced DeCoud.

“That was the plan going into the game. I made a couple changes at that time. You can look into it any way you want. But I felt like that was the right time,” defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said Monday.

As the Panthers continue making moves to give younger guys more reps, it will be interesting to see how much longer they stick with Roman Harper. The 31-year-old has played every snap at strong safety in three of the last four games.

Robert Lester, who started four games as a undrafted rookie, has been cut twice and active once this season.

Also Tuesday, the Panthers released linebacker and special teams ace Jason Williams, who was responsible for the first of two punts the Vikings blocked and returned for touchdowns.

Cornerback Carrington Byndom and linebacker Horace Miller were promoted from the practice squad to fill the open roster spots.

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