On Monday, the New York Jets announced the release of cornerback Tae Hayes—a former member of the Carolina Panthers.
The 26-year-old, per multiple reports, was arrested early Sunday morning in Morgan County, Alabama and charged with marijuana possession. According to jail records, Hayes was booked at 3:46 a.m. and released less than two hours later upon posting $300 bond.
Following a brief stint on the Panthers’ practice squad at the end of 2021, Hayes rejoined the team as a free agent on Aug. 4 of 2022. The Decatur, Ala. native would become a summer standout in Carolina—notching a team-high five tackles and two passes defensed in the first preseason outing and a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown in the next.
The Panthers would release Hayes during their roster cutdown at the end of August, but brought him back to the practice squad a day later. He appeared in five games for Carolina during the 2022 regular season, with 70 total snaps on defense and 16 on special teams.
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