Bene Benwikere Released by Panthers: Latest Details and Reaction

The Carolina Panthers reportedly released starting cornerback Bene Benwikere on Friday after a dreadful performance in the team's Week 4 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. 

Tom Pelissero of USA Today first reported the news. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirmed the Panthers' decision to cut ties with the defensive back.

Benwikere was exposed in a major way last Sunday when asked to cover Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, who torched virtually the entire Carolina secondary en route to 12 catches for 300 yards and a touchdown.

Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer passed along comments from the 25-year-old San Jose State product, who admitted Thursday he's never endured a game like that throughout his football career:

"

I've never had anything close to that feeling, to that effect, to that type of game. But that's what happens when you go up against a top-caliber offense ... and a receiver and quarterback tandem that's that good.

You prepare, you watch film, you do things. But when you don't take it to that elite level, that level of conditioning, that level of play that they're at, then you get burned.

"

Still, Bleacher Report's Connor Rogers doesn't believe making such a swift move after one game is the right move by the Panthers:

Benwikere had registered 10 combined tackles, four passes defended and an interception through the first month of the 2016 campaign. In all, he tallied 102 total tackles, 20 passes defended and two picks in 27 games with the Panthers after the team selected him in the fifth round of the 2014 draft.

The reigning NFC champions are under pressure to make changes after a 1-3 start, though. The defense, which ranked sixth in both yards and points allowed last season, has dropped to 12th in yards and 28th in points at the quarter mark this year.

An overhaul in the secondary has played a role in that drop-off. Mike Clay of ESPN highlighted the sweeping changes in the defensive backfield since last year:

In most cases, Benwikere would have likely been dropped down the depth chart and given a chance to prove himself in a lesser role. The Panthers decided to go more drastic, leaving Robert McClain, Daryl Worley and Teddy Williams to handle most of the extra snaps.

While Sunday's outing hurt Benwikere's stock, it's unlikely he'll pass through waivers unclaimed. He played well enough across his first two seasons in the league to warrant getting another chance elsewhere right away.