Veteran cornerback Antoine Cason is one of the more notable defensive backs left on the free agent market, but he won’t be joining an NFL team for the 2015 season. In an Instagram post, Cason revealed last night that he underwent surgery on Tuesday morning, and will be out for the year. The exact nature of the procedure is unknown, but Cason’s photo appears to show his right foot in heavy bandages.
“Had surgery this morning to fix an ongoing problem,” Cason wrote on Instagram. “Due to the surgery I will miss the 2015 season. … Tough decision but it was one that needed to be made and I am home and well!”
Cason, 28, started 11 of the Panthers’ first 12 games in 2014, but had plenty of ups and downs throughout the year. The former first-round pick was benched in Week 13 after allowing a touchdown to Vikings wideout Greg Jennings, and had an overall grade of -10.2 in Carolina, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required). Although he grabbed a pair of interceptions, Cason also allowed six touchdowns, a 122.2 passer rating, and an 80.3% completion rate on passes thrown into his coverage, per PFF.
The Panthers opted to part ways with Cason in early December, and a week later he was scooped up by the Ravens, whose secondary had been ravaged by injuries. Cason, who will turn 29 in July, only briefly saw the field for Baltimore, during the team’s Wild Card game in Pittsburgh.
Despite a down year, the Arizona product has 110 career NFL games, including 60 starts, on his NFL résumé, so he could draw some interest around the league in 2016, assuming he gets fully healthy.