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Updates from Week 4
Quarterbacks
Bryce Young faced challenges during the preseason, primarily due to his struggling offensive line. Despite these hurdles, the rookie excelled, most notably in a strong performance against the Lions, where he threw for 73 yards and a touchdown. Young's accuracy and knack for improvising under pressure have earned him praise from teammates and rivals alike, bolstering confidence in his franchise leadership. Serving as Young's backup is Andy Dalton, who recently missed some time due to a back injury. Dalton returned against Detroit, completing 6-of-11 passes for 60 yards and an interception. Initially, it was uncertain if the team would keep Matt Corral, as Jake Luton had outplayed him. However, Luton was released, solidifying Corral's spot as the third quarterback.
Running Backs
The plan heading into the season was to give Miles Sanders a heavy workload. That plan might need a tweak, at least early on, as Sanders is recovering from a groin injury. Although he is expected to be ready for Week 1, his absence in the preseason could result in some rust. His importance can't be overstated, especially since his backups have largely underperformed. Although some blame can be laid on the offensive line, no tailback averaged four yards per carry this summer. Chuba Hubbard missed the preseason finale with an ankle injury but looks to be the No. 2. Raheem Blackshear outperformed Hubbard as a pass-catcher, so if Sanders misses time, expect a committee approach with Hubbard handling early downs. Spencer Brown led the team in rushing this preseason, and he is the biggest back on the roster. If nobody more appealing becomes available after roster cuts, Brown will be the No. 4.
Wide Receivers
The Panthers' wide receiver corps can be summarized in one word: Injuries. Early losses include Damiere Byrd, who was on track to start the season in the slot but will now miss all of 2023 due to a severe hamstring injury. Terrace Marshall also suffered a back injury, relegating him to fourth on the depth chart. Adam Thielen, D.J. Chark, and rookie Jonathan Mingo now hold the starting spots, each impressing in different facets of the game. Thielen appears to be Bryce Young's safety blanket, especially in the red zone. He caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown this week despite an inconsequential injury scare. Although nursing a hamstring injury, Chark is expected to be ready for Week 1 as the deep threat. Mingo might have moved up the depth chart mainly due to health, but he is keeping the job by being consistent as a receiver and run blocker. Behind them will be Marshall, upon his return, Laviska Shenault, and possibly Shi Smith if the team keeps six receivers. Shenault has drawn comparisons to Deebo Samuel and Cordarrelle Patterson this preseason and could be used to cover up some deficiencies at backup running back.
Tight Ends
The lack of a primary wide receiver has opened the door for veteran free agent Hayden Hurst. Along with veteran receiver Adam Thielen, Hurst has quickly become a favored target, particularly in the red zone. He could potentially lead the team in targets this season. Ian Thomas, Tommy Tremble, Stephen Sullivan, and Giovanni Ricci are competing for the remaining spots. Thomas is the incumbent and the best blocker, but Tremble is gaining ground. Sullivan is a better receiver than Thomas but isn’t a good blocker. Ricci led the group in receiving this preseason but is almost assuredly on the outside looking in for the final roster spots.
Kickers
The team released Matthew Wright, all but assuring that Eddy Pineiro will be ready for the season opener. Pineiro confirmed he was ready by hitting a 41-yard field goal and an extra point in his only attempts during the preseason finale against Detroit. He’s a draftable fantasy kicker on a team that aims to win with defense and ball control.
Defense
The starters are talented at every level and should handle the coaches’ transition to a 3-4 base formation. The defensive cornerstone is lineman Derrick Brown. Newly acquired linebacker Justin Houston, who played under Frank Reich in Indianapolis, should pair well opposite Brian Burns. The tandem had a combined 22 sacks last year. Shaq Thompson and Frankie Luvu anchor the middle linebacker positions. The secondary is deep and skillful. At corner, Donte Jackson returns after missing most of last year with an Achilles injury. He will start opposite Jaycee Horn, with C.J. Henderson coming in for nickel packages. Carolina hit a home run at safety with Jeremy Chinn a few years ago and paired him with Xavier Woods last season. This year, they added to the rotation, bringing in Vonn Bell. Bell’s addition affords the coaches the luxury of moving Chinn all over the field, including nickel corner and linebacker. This unit's versatility could make it one of the league's best when it comes to takeaways.
Returners
Raheem Blackshear has held off a challenge from Shi Smith and will likely earn a roster spot as Carolina's primary returner.
Updates from Week 3
Quarterbacks
Bryce Young's offseason progress has been largely positive, although concerns about the offensive line performance have arisen. He took a few big hits in the first preseason game and was sacked again this week against the Giants. Thankfully, that was the only hit he took in the game. Young's resilience in handling contact is encouraging, especially considering prior worries about his size and durability. Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown commended Young's mature approach, highlighting his ability to make impressive plays consistently. Head coach Frank Reich has admittedly kept his scheme very vanilla, wanting to give only a little away in the preseason. Young completed 3-of-6 passes for 35 yards across three series before Matt Corral took over. Corral has faced difficulties in the preseason and is now competing for the third spot behind Young and Andy Dalton, who missed the game with a back injury. Corral improved with more reps despite a shaky start, finishing the game 9-of-13 for 71 yards. The recent addition of Jake Luton has intensified the competition; he had 41 yards and a touchdown to finish out the game.
Running Backs
Do not expect to see Miles Sanders in the preseason. He is dealing with a groin injury that caused him to miss the first two games, and it is expected to keep him out of the third as well. While this rest could benefit his recovery, it could also impact his workload early in the season. The backups haven’t looked ready to step into Sanders’ shoes, further emphasizing the importance of his return. The issues with the offensive line are not restricted to the passing game; the Panthers have also encountered difficulties in run blocking. During the Giants game, Chuba Hubbard was the primary back and managed just 30 yards on eight carries. Raheem Blackshear had a similar performance but also scored a touchdown. None of the tailbacks averaged over four yards per carry. Spencer Brown, the fourth-string back who leads the team in preseason rushing, struggled in short-yardage. Adding a veteran backup before Week 1 might be a possibility.
Wide Receivers
When looking at snaps against the Giants, the wide receiver depth chart is straightforward. The starting trio consists of Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, and Jonathan Mingo. Laviska Shenault likely ranks fourth. Bryce Young played 21 snaps in the game, and all four receivers logged similar counts. Their functions in the offense are also distinct. Thielen serves as a preferred target, particularly in the red zone. Chark excels as a deep threat, while Shenault offers versatility as a multifaceted player, potentially even in the running back position. Mingo's impactful blocking on run plays enhances his field presence and could lead to more snaps as the season progresses. In the game against New York, Thielen, Chark, and Mingo each had a single reception, while Shenault didn't touch the ball. Terrace Marshall’s promising camp performance was derailed by a back injury and he is expected to miss a few weeks. Shi Smith capitalized on the opportunity with four receptions for 55 yards.
Tight Ends
Hayden Hurst only has one target this preseason, yet there's growing excitement about his role within the offense. Coach Reich indicated that due to the absence of a dominant wide receiver, Hurst might often be the primary option. Despite not connecting with Young against New York, Hurst was on the receiving end of the rookie's best pass this preseason, a red zone strike on the sidelines, but a holding penalty nullified the play. Hurst has been highly complimentary of Young, likening him to Joe Burrow. Overall, the unit made little impact against New York.
Defense
While the starting front seven is shaping up to be a very talented bunch, there are depth concerns. In the game, most of the starting ends and linebackers were absent, and the defense recorded just two sacks and no takeaways. The absence of a pass rush let Daniel Jones have his way, completing 8-of-9 passes for 69 yards and a touchdown. Cornerback Jaycee Horn was understandably dissatisfied with the performance. He emphasized that it didn't reflect their capabilities and stressed the importance of a fast start to games to avoid long drives. Although much of the starting lineup is settled, Marquan McCall is in contention for the starting nose tackle role in Carolina's 3-4 defense. Despite struggling to make the roster as an undrafted rookie last year, McCall now holds the advantage, showcasing his potential with five tackles this preseason. There are critical backup positions still up for grabs. Rookie D.J. Johnson and second-year player Amare Barno are contending to displace veteran backups at the outside linebacker position.
Offensive Line
Throughout the preseason, the Panthers offensive line has grappled with challenges in pass protection. Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux managed to sack quarterback Bryce Young after getting past left tackle Ikem Ekwonu. Rookie right guard Chandler Zavala was also penalized for holding against the Giants. Injuries further complicate the situation, as Austin Corbett remains on the PUP list due to a knee issue, and Cade Mays is sidelined with a neck injury. These circumstances could provide opportunities for Zavala to play a significant role in Week 1. Despite their struggles, the Panthers' offensive line ranks 19th overall, exhibiting stronger run-blocking capabilities than pass protection.
Updates from Week 2
Quarterbacks
Leading up to their game against the New York Jets, this week's focus was on high tempo and putting pressure on Bryce Young to prepare him. He displayed considerable accuracy, but he also threw some interceptions. For the first time in camp, Young exhibited signs of frustration due to offensive mistakes. Coach Frank Reich said, "He's really harder on himself more than anybody. A quarterback, you've just got to be unflappable. And I think we all know Bryce has that gene. Nothing really changes his pulse.” As it turned out, this was a precursor to joint practice with the Jets. New York's defense presented a distinctly different scheme from the Panthers, leading to hurried decisions by the rookie quarterback. Nonetheless, it wasn't all negative, as Young showcased adept improvisational skills when plays deviated from the plan. Young's performance improved significantly throughout the multiple joint-practice sessions.
Young played three drives in Saturday’s game, completing four of six passes. He took a couple of big hits, highlighting the offensive line issues we’ve seen throughout training camp. Although Andy Dalton is the backup, he didn't take a snap. Matt Corral replaced Young and finished the game, going 15-of-22 for 126 yards and an interception. Notably, the Jets shut out the Panthers 27-0.
Running Backs
The running backs had a relatively subdued week, primarily due to Miles Sanders tweaking his groin, leading him to miss several practices. He returned to practice at the end of the week but sat out the Jets game. Chuba Hubbard's mentions in practice reports were mainly tied to the defense's tackles for loss or fumble recoveries, with Raheem Blackshear receiving minimal mention. Hubbard started against the Jets and carried the ball four times for nine yards. Blackshear had only one carry but managed two receptions compared to Hubbard's one. Spencer Brown, the fourth-string back, led the team in rushing with just 34 yards.
Wide Receivers
The focal point of this week's news centered around the release of the first official depth chart, which named D.J. Chark Jr, Adam Thielen, and rookie Jonathan Mingo as the starters. While initial depth charts should be approached with caution, the absence of a clear No. 1 receiver adds complexity. Yet, Thielen doesn’t see this as a bad thing, stating, “I think this is a talented group. It’s not just one or two guys. I think it’s a group effort. We’re able to really put a lot of guys in there and not miss a beat. That doesn’t happen in the NFL. That just doesn’t. Usually, you can see a drop-off when you go to the 2’s, and you go to the 3’s—usually, you see a little bit of a drop-off. I haven’t felt that here.” No. 4 Terrace Marshall left Monday’s practice with a non-contact injury; his situation bears monitoring.
Tight Ends
: Hayden Hurst is the unquestioned starter, and Coach Reich expects the veteran to play a lot of snaps. Reich said of Hearst, "Multi-purpose. Really versatile. Can run the down-the-field routes, can run the crossing-over routes, sail routes. I mean, just athletic enough but still tough enough to block and be on the field on every down. You want a guy who, when we're in 11 personnel, you want a tight end who can stay on the field on every down. Hayden's that kind of guy." Hurst's impact is evident, especially when Bryce Young faces challenges in the red zone during Hurst's absence.
Although Hurst is the clear No. 1, all the tight ends on the roster have enjoyed strong performances recently. Adam Thielen commended the group's collective effort after watching Ian Thomas, Tommy Tremble, and Stephen Sullivan make plays: “It’s not just one guy being a physical guy and one guy being the athletic guy. It’s really being a whole group of a bunch of versatile guys that can do a lot of different things that can help a football team win games.”
Defense
Rumors had circulated for a while that the team was seeking to acquire an edge rusher to complement Brian Burns, and that came to fruition this week. Justin Houston, who previously played under Frank Reich for two years in Indianapolis, signed with Carolina. He promptly began working with Burns, sharing insights about the defensive scheme. Houston's arrival has solidified the starting linebackers. In the new 3-4 scheme, Frankie Luvu’s role is changing. He will start as an inside linebacker alongside Shaq Thompson, which may limit his opportunities for pass rushing. Luvu recorded seven sacks last year and achieved career highs in tackles and tackles for loss, figures that could see improvement in his role as an inside linebacker. While there have been some questions about the depth at linebacker, Kamu Grugier-Hill has had an excellent camp, and there is optimism about Michael Haynes’ potential from his back injury. Cornerback Donte Jackson is back at full strength and eager to play in the highly talented secondary. The Jets game proved challenging for the defense, with only one sack and one interception recorded. However, when the starters were on the field, defensive end Derrick Brown made the initial two tackles of the game, and the Jets were limited to a field goal.
Returners
While Raheem Blackshear is the primary option for punt and kickoff returns, Shi Smith remains a contender, particularly on punts, where he was favored by the team last year.
Updates from Week 1
Quarterbacks
The team removed some of the drama from their preseason by announcing in June that Bryce Young, the 1st overall pick, will be the starting quarterback. Young is already receiving praise from teammates for looking comfortable and showing different sides to his personality. It’s been more of a mixed bag on the field, though there has been more good than bad. He’s been precise on deep throws but has thrown multiple Pick-6s to an opportunistic secondary. New head coach Frank Reich has encouraged Young to test his boundaries. “As we all know, we’re at a stage where you have to try things out,” Reich said. “Like, we’re gonna tell him, ‘Hey, challenge yourself. See if you can put the ball in that place, in that window, against that coverage. We need to find those things out now.” Young has been particularly impressive in the red zone, with his efficiency leading to quick reads and touchdowns.
Running Backs
The Panthers will have new starters at every fantasy-relevant position this season. They brought in Miles Sanders via free agency, and he will carry a heavy workload. While he did suffer an undisclosed injury recently and was forced to miss some practice, it should not affect his readiness for Week 1. Behind Sanders sit Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear. Hubbard was the presumed favorite to land the primary backup role, but competition has emerged. Blackshear is showing skills as a pass-catcher, and he can return kicks. All three backs likely make the team, with the bulk of the touches going to Sanders.
Wide Receivers
As with most training camps, the pass catchers are shining. With DJ Moore now in Chicago, it’s a couple of new faces atop the depth chart for the Panthers, with both D.J. Chark Jr and Adam Thielen coming in during free agency. Chark has immediately become Bryce Young’s go-to deep threat. Nearly every daily practice report includes another set of highlight-worthy connections from Young to Chark. Their chemistry has also been a factor in Young’s red zone success. Chark’s deep presence has opened things up for Adam Thielen as an underneath possession receiver.
Behind those two, it’s the trio of Terrace Marshall, Laviska Shenault, and rookie Jonathan Mingo. Mingo has used this camp to tighten his route-running skills and has played with the first and second-team offenses. Shenault came over in a trade from Jacksonville last year but did not do much as a Panther. The coaches are focusing on using him at multiple positions, and he has made both rushing and receiving plays. His usage is already being compared to that of Deebo Samuel. Terrace Marshall, the team’s most-tenured receiver, has had a decent camp but has been overshadowed by others. Depending on who you ask, Marshall is anywhere from third to fifth on the depth chart.
Tight Ends
While Hayden Hurst is the new starter, it has been a quiet camp for all the tight ends. Regardless, tight ends should still play a heavy role in Reich’s offense, and Hurst is developing a noticeable chemistry with Young. Backup Ian Thomas has kept his job with his blocking ability, but Tommy Tremble is gaining ground. Stephen Sullivan is already outperforming Thomas as a receiver.
Defense
While there are a lot of new faces on offense and defense, including the recent addition of linebacker Deion Jones, familiar faces will lead the defense. Derrick Brown is moving to defensive end in the team’s new 3-4 scheme and has been giving the offensive line fits. The team hopes for full recoveries from linebacker Brian Burns and cornerback Donte Jackson from their 2022 injuries. Reich praised Burns’ leadership in camp. The coaches are happy with the top-3 corners, Jackson, C.J. Henderson, and Jaycee Horn, and their depth. Backup Keith Taylor has stepped up and forced a few key interceptions, while Jackson and Henderson missing practices. At safety, Vonn Bell has immediately made his presence felt as a heavy hitter and a leader on the field. Bell’s addition has freed Jeremy Chinn to move around the defense again.
