Panthers release cornerback Eli Apple

The Carolina Panthers confirmed on Tuesday that they released cornerback and former first-round draft pick Eli Apple after he appeared in only two games this season. 

Apple, who turned 25 years old in August, put pen to paper on a one-year contract worth $3 million with the Panthers in May before becoming more of an injured spectator than an active participant this fall. He started the campaign on injured reserve because of a hamstring problem and then, per the club's website, suffered a different hamstring injury after playing only six special teams snaps in the Week 4 win over the Arizona Cardinals. 

Apple returned for last Sunday's 27-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints and tallied four tackles. He left the team's facility on Tuesday and was said to be dealing with a bad hamstring before Carolina released him.

"He just didn't feel like he could go, so we sent him inside for treatment," head coach Matt Rhule told reporters. "Sometimes it's just better just to have guys inside, getting treatment and trying to get them as close as possible."

Little changes for the Panthers ahead of a Thursday night showdown with the Atlanta Falcons, as playing without Apple is hardly anything new for a Carolina side that holds a 3-4 record and hopes to get back to .500 with a win over the 1-6 Falcons. Per David Newton of ESPN, third-year pro Donte Jackson and rookie Troy Pride Jr. are expected to start at cornerback for Carolina versus Atlanta.