NFL teams
David Newton, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Panthers release Charles Godfrey

NFL, Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers on Tuesday released veteran defensive back Charles Godfrey, who struggled in his move from safety to cornerback.

Offensive guard Chris Scott was signed from the practice squad to take Godfrey's spot on the 53-man roster.

Godfrey played in 82 games, including 75 starts, after being selected in the third round of the 2008 draft. All but one of those starts came prior to this season at safety, where his 2013 season ended in Week 2 with an Achilles injury.

He played in seven games this season for a defense that has allowed an average quarterback rating of 118.7 over the past five games.

Godfrey missed three tackles as the nickel corner in Sunday's 38-17 loss at Green Bay, where Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 19 of 22 pass attempts for 255 yards and three touchdowns.

"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," Panthers 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."

Godfrey restructured his contract during the offseason to reduce his salary cap number by more than $4 million. He was scheduled to count $7.1 million against the cap prior to that.

Godfrey had two more years beyond this one on his contract with no guaranteed money.

Rivera said on Monday that rookie Bené Benwikere would return as the starting nickel corner when he returned from an ankle injury that has sidelined him the past two games. If Benwikere can't play on Sunday against Seattle, James Dockery could get a look at that spot.

Scott gives the Panthers (3-3-1) insurance at guard. Starting left guard Amini Silatolu missed Sunday's game with a calf injury and starting right guard Trai Turner suffered a knee and ankle sprain that will keep him out of this week's game.

Silatolu is expected to return for the game against the Seahawks.

Scott started eight games for the Panthers in 2013. He was released after training camp and signed to the practice squad on Oct. 14.

One of Scott's issues was conditioning. Rivera said that the 6-foot-4, 345-pound player returned in "great shape."

The Panthers also re-signed safety Robert Lester to the practice squad and added former Browns tackle Martin Wallace to that unit.

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