CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers have already begun shaping their roster—and more specifically the defense—for the 2025 season. The club released veteran corner Dane Jackson on Friday.
Jackson first joined the Panthers last spring as a free agent, following four years with the Buffalo Bills.
He was placed on injured reserve during training camp with a hamstring injury. By the time he was designated for return, the Panthers had turned to Mike Jackson as starter opposite Jaycee Horn.
Dane Jackson was activated in October and started three games in nine appearances, playing most of his snaps as the slot corner.
Jackson finished with 23 tackles, including one for loss, and two passes defended. He played 43 percent of the defensive snaps.
The Panthers drafted Chau Smith-Wade last spring, and employed the rookie as the slot corner in conjunction with Jackson, with Smith-Wade starting four games.
"We got some young guys on defense that we're excited about too," general manager Dan Morgan said in January of guys like Smith-Wade, who earned starting roles as rookies. "Guys are going to continue to develop, get better; a lot of these guys gained a lot of experience this year, so I think that'll be valuable really going forward."
The new league year and free agency period begins March 12.
View photos of the best moment of the Panthers rookie class.
WR Jalen Coker in Week 7 against the Washington Commanders
WR Jalen Coker in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints
WR Jalen Coker in Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys
WR Jalen Coker in Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys
WR Jalen Coker in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints
TE Ja'Tavion Sanders in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers
TE Ja'Tavion Sanders in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons
TE Ja'Tavion Sanders in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints
TE Ja'Tavion Sanders in Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs
TE Ja'Tavion Sanders in Week18 against the Atlanta Falcons
WR Xavier Legette in Week 8 against the Denver Broncos
WR Xavier Legette in Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys
WR Xavier Legette in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints
WR Xavier Legette in Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
WR Xavier Legette in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons
LB Trevin Wallace in Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs
LB Trevin Wallace in Preaseason Week 2 against the New York Jets
LB Trevin Wallace in Week 5 against the Chicago Bears
LB Trevin Wallace in Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
LB Trevin Wallace in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons
DT Jaden Crumedy in Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals
DT Jaden Crumedy in Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys
S Demani Richardson in Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals
S Demani Richardson in Week 18 against the Atlanta Falcons
S Demani Richardson in Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals
S Demani Richardson in Week 17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
S Demani Richardson in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints
RB Jonathon Brooks in Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs
RB Jonathon Brooks in Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
RB Jonathon Brooks in Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CB Chau Smith-Wade in Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals
CB Chau Smith-Wade in Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CB Chau Smith-Wade in Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CB Chau Smith-Wade in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints
