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Panthers Cut Jarrett Following DWI Charge

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The Carolina Panthers have cut wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett following his arrest early Tuesday morning on DWI charges. The Panthers claimed receiver David Clowney off waivers from the New York Jets to replace Jarrett.

"I talked to Dwayne and told him the situation here is just not working out for either side," says general manager Marty Hurney. "We had a chance to pick up off waivers a receiver we considered claiming when he became available four weeks ago. We wish Dwayne the best."

Clowney played at Virginia Tech and was drafted in the fifth round by Green Bay in 2007. He has spent the last four seasons with the Jets, catching 16 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police stopped Jarrett on Interstate 77 just after 2 a.m. and charged him with DWI.

According to a police report, an officer first spotted Jarrett's car, which didn't have a tag on it, on Old Pineville Road. Jarrett then turned onto Tyvola Road, hitting 50 mph in the 35 mph zone, the report says.

PDF: Police Report In Jarrett Arrest

When the officer stopped Jarrett on I-77, he said he noticed Jarrett's eyes were red, his speech was slurred and he appeared confused and disoriented, according to the report. The officer also said he noticed a strong odor of alcohol and said Jarrett performed poorly on several sobriety tests.

Jarrett was then taken to jail, where he refused to take a blood-alcohol test, the report says. The officer got a search warrant and took his blood.

This is the second time Jarrett has been arrested on suspicion of DWI in about 2 1/2 years.

SLIDESHOW: Dwayne Jarrett's Mug Shots

Mint Hill police stopped him in March 2008 after an officer said he saw Jarrett run a red light at Lawyers Road at Highway 51. Jarrett's blood-alcohol level was .12, according to a police report. (Click here for more about Jarrett's 2008 arrest.) North Carolina law sets the legal limit for driving at .08.

Jarrett pleaded guilty to the charges in June 2008.

Jarrett was expected to compete for a starting job this year, but the Panthers have given the nod to rookies Brandon LaFell or David Gettis instead. Jarrett has been active for three of four games and has two catches for 40 yards, both in the season opener against the New York Giants.

This is one week the Panthers could have used Jarrett, since he would have been the most experienced wide receiver on the field Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Steve Smith, the veteran of the bunch, has a high ankle sprain and will not play. If Jarrett is cut, the Panthers will have just three rookies to suit up -- David Gettis, Brandon LaFell and Armanti Edwards, who has yet to play in a game. One option the team could have is elevating rookie Trent Guy from the practice squad.

The Panthers drafted Jarrett in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. Originally projected as a first-round pick, Jarrett's slipped into the second round and was the eighth receiver selected. He has not lived up to expectations with the Panthers, recording only 35 receptions for 428 yards in his first four seasons. Jarrett, who was a two-time All-American wide receiver at the University of Southern California, has reached the end zone once in his Panthers career.

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