CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Carolina Panthers released receiver Keyshawn Johnson on Tuesday, three days after they selected another former Southern California receiver in the second round of the draft.

It was thought Johnson would help groom Dwayne Jarrett of USC, taken in the second round with the 45th pick. But apparently Johnson was deemed expendable – he and Jarrett are both 6-foot-4 possession receivers.

The Panthers also selected receiver Ryne Robinson of Miami of Ohio in the fourth round of the draft. While he will likely be primarily used as a punt returner, he did catch 91 passes at Miami of Ohio last season. The Panthers also have receivers Drew Carter and Keary Colbert on the roster.

“We appreciated the contribution of Keyshawn in his season with the Panthers,” coach John Fox said.

Johnson, who will turn 35 in July, had 70 catches for 815 yards and four touchdowns last season, his first with Carolina, and became the 16th player in NFL history with 800 career catches.

Vick among three released by Dolphins

DAVIE, Fla. – Marcus Vick’s stint with the Miami Dolphins is over.

Vick, signed last season as a free agent receiver after a troubled career as Virginia Tech’s quarterback, was among three players waived by the Dolphins.

The Dolphins also released defensive tackle Manny Wright and linebacker Bobby Iwuchukwu.

Vick appeared in one game.

He was kicked off Virginia Tech’s team following his junior year after repeated brushes with the law and other misbehavior. Last December, a 17-year-old girl who claimed she had a two-year sexual relationship with Vick filed a $6.3 million lawsuit against him, alleging sexual battery upon a minor, infliction of emotional distress, fraud and other charges.

Wright was reduced to tears on the practice field during the 2005 season when scolded by then-coach Nick Saban, and asked to be released or traded away last season. He did not play in the 2006 season, and was with the Dolphins for their first minicamp under new coach Cam Cameron last month.

Iwuchukwu spent last year on practice squads in San Francisco and Baltimore and signed with the Dolphins earlier this offseason.

AP-ES-05-01-07 1838EDT