CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -The Carolina Panthers released offensive lineman Adam Meadows on Tuesday, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.

Meadows is attempting a comeback after retiring two years ago.

``We just felt like he hadn't played in two years and that it was best for us to release his rights as soon as possible and give him an opportunity to sign (with another team),'' Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said.

The Panthers signed Meadows to a five-year contract worth $15 million in 2004 and projected him as their starting right tackle. But he retired just two weeks into training camp that year, complaining of chronic pain in his surgically repaired shoulder.

Meadows didn't receive any of the $15 million, voluntarily returning his $2.5 million signing bonus. Because he never played in a regular-season game with Carolina, the rest of the contract was voided.

Nonetheless, when the league approved Meadows' request for reinstatement earlier this week, his rights reverted back to the Panthers and he was briefly placed on the team's retired-reserve list.

``We have a lot of respect for Adam and ... we hope he does well wherever he ends up,'' Hurney said.

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