CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers receiver Dwayne Jarrett was arrested and charged with driving while impaired while in town for the team's offseason conditioning program.
He was taken to Mecklenburg County jail and released on $1,000 bond.
Jarrett was pulled over in suburban Mint Hill at 3 a.m. Tuesday, police spokesman Lt. Sergio Carrera said. An officer spotted Jarrett's car cross the center line and run a red light, Carrera said. The 21-year-old player failed field sobriety tests before he was given a breath test.
"Our players know these kinds of situations are unacceptable," Panthers spokesman Charlie Dayton said. "We have talked to Dwayne and expressed our feelings on this matter and are gathering all the information we can."
Jarrett's agent, Darin Morgan, declined comment.
The Panthers drafted the former Southern California star in the second-round last year. Three days later, the Panthers released Keyshawn Johnson, believing the 6-foot-4 Jarrett would replace him as the No. 2 receiver opposite the smaller and speedy Steve Smith.
But Jarrett struggled to learn the playbook and adapt to the NFL game and was beaten out for a starting job. He was on the inactive list for six of the first eight games. He played more later in the season, but finished with only six catches for 73 yards and no touchdowns.
The Panthers signed veteran receiver Muhsin Muhammad last month. General manager Marty Hurney indicated Muhammad could mentor Jarrett, who holds the Pac-10 career record with 41 touchdown catches.
vranger 