The Panthers have parted ways with veteran cornerback Robert McClain.
The team announced McClain’s release on Friday along with the return of linebacker Ben Jacobs, who played with the team from 2013-2015. He saw much of his time on special teams and the Panthers have a need in that area with David Mayo on track to miss Sunday’s game against the Chargers because of a concussion.
McClain joined the Panthers late last season and wound up as a starting cornerback in the playoffs after injuries to Charles Tillman and Bene Benwikere thinned out the team’s options in the secondary. He played 11 games and made six starts this season, but Carolina will go with younger options to play out the string.
McClain’s experience -- he’s played 77 games over the course of his career -- could put him line for another late arrival this year should any contenders suffer injuries at cornerback. Barring that, he’ll look for work come 2017 and won’t have to wait for the start of free agency to sign with a team.
