The preseason lights are off, and now it’s crunch time for teams across the league. Every squad has until Sunday 6 PM Eastern to chop their rosters down from 90 players to 53, and man, the Carolina Panthers have some tough calls coming. We already know most of the guys who are sticking around since a lot of the roster has been set for a while, but that doesn’t mean the bottom of the depth chart isn’t a total wild west. There’s a ton of movement still to happen with practice squad spots, injury designations, and waiver claims, so let’s dig into what this final 53 could look like.
Quarterback Drama and the Backfield Battle
Leading the charge under center, Bryce Young is the biggest storyline right now. He’s facing a make or break season, trying to prove he’s a legitimate NFL starter, and all eyes are on him. Kenny Pickett is there too, of course. Then there’s Haynes King, who hasn’t played since the Hall of Fame game, but it sounds like Canales thinks he’ll be ready for Week 1. That’s a strong hint he’s making the roster, probably as a deep third stringer, though I wouldn’t be shocked to see some special packages where he gets to use his rushing ability. In the backfield, Chuba Hubbard just keeps earning that starting spot, no matter who they bring in to compete. He’ll be the lead back for sure. But look out for Jonathon Brooks, who could push Hubbard for touches if he can get back to his college form. Trevor Etienne’s ankle injury from Friday night’s game totally threw a wrench in things, leaving his status up in the air. If that ankle injury is mild, AJ Dillon might even land on the practice squad.
Receiver Scramble and Tight End Intrigue
Over at wide receiver, things are getting crowded with Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, and Brycen Tremayne. Tremayne seems all but locked in, especially with his special teams contributions. John Metchie III and Jimmy Horn Jr. have been heavily featured in preseason games, showing up early, which tells you they’re high on that second tier depth chart. Now, Ja’seem Reed is the interesting one. Putting him on the roster might be more about hope than a solid prediction. David Moore has been a reliable presence and a special teams asset for a couple of years. Reed has flashed way more as a receiver in camp and preseason, but General Manager Dan Morgan has clearly said special teams weigh heavily in these bottom-of-the-roster decisions. If Reed can match Moore on special teams, he could be that annual training camp wide receiver story that makes the cut. At tight end, we’ve got Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, and Ja’Tavion Sanders. The splash signing of Darren Waller earlier this offseason was big, but his lack of appearances in the preseason makes it seem like he’s not fully ready for game action.
This Sunday, the Panthers coaching staff has to finalize this roster. Getting the right 53 guys who can contribute from day one is everything, especially with Bryce Young heading into such a pivotal year. The next few days are going to be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Cat Scratch Reader.
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