CHARLOTTE - Carolina Panthers receiver Dwayne Jarrett was arrested early Tuesday and charged with driving while impaired, according to Mint Hill Police.

An officer arrested Jarrett about 3 a.m., and he was released from Mecklenburg jail on $1,000 secured bond a few hours later. Jarrett is scheduled to appear in court at 1 p.m. today.

An officer saw Jarrett run a red light on Lawyers Road at N.C. 51, heading toward Union County, police said. The officer pulled Jarrett over, approached the driver's side window and "smelled a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Mr. Jarrett's person," according to a police press release.

The officer, whom the Mint Hill police declined to identify, asked Jarrett to do some roadside sobriety tests. Jarrett agreed, but performed the tasks poorly, police said, and he failed a breath test at the Matthews police station a little while later.

Mint Hill police did not release Jarrett's blood alcohol level. The legal limit in North Carolina is .08.

Jarrett, 21, was a second-round pick in last year's NFL draft (45th overall) after starring at Southern California.

He had a disappointing rookie season, with six catches for 73 yards and no touchdowns, but is being counted on to compete for a starting job this season.

The Panthers issued a tersely worded statement, saying their players know "these kinds of situations are unacceptable" and that they had talked to Jarrett and "expressed our feelings on this matter."

The NFL collective bargaining agreement doesn't give the team leeway to discipline Jarrett, but the league is expected to review the situation and could place him in its substance abuse program. That would subject him to more extensive random testing, which could lead to a suspension if he tested positive.

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said Jarrett had apologized to the team.

"He understands this isn't going to be accepted," Hurney said. "Hopefully, he handles this in a way where he can grow from it."