The Carolina Panthers snagged a 16-13 win against the Houston Texans on Friday night, officially wrapping up their preseason. They finished their four-game summer run, setting up their NFC South title defense, but that victory came with a serious downside for a few players. For some guys battling for a spot on the 53-man roster, this final outing might have just slammed the door shut on their time with the team, especially with roster cuts coming up fast this weekend.
Offensive Hopefuls Face A Steep Climb
Talk about a tough break for wide receiver John Metchie III. Even after leading the Panthers in receiving yards through the preseason before kickoff, he was already facing an uphill battle to crack the final roster. Friday night didn’t do him any favors, as he hauled in just one catch for five yards on three targets. While Metchie has made a ton of plays this summer, his lack of impact on special teams could be what sends him packing. Other wideouts, like Brycen Tremayne and Jimmy Horn Jr., have apparently shined in that crucial area.
Then there is tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. The first red flag? He wasn’t one of the thirty players ruled out for the game. The second? He ended up with zero targets. And if that wasn’t enough, his main competition, Feleipe Franks, managed to rack up three catches for 25 yards. Between Franks’ improvement, the addition of former Pro Bowler Darren Waller, and the whispers about Sanders potentially being available via trade, it sounds like he could be hitting the chopping block real soon.
Defensive And O-Line Struggles Mount
It was a rough night for offensive tackle Albert Reese, too. He got beat not once, but twice, by Texans defensive lineman Sabastian Harsh in the first quarter alone. First, it led to a sack, then almost a fumble from quarterback Kenny Pickett. Reese also picked up a false start penalty in the second quarter. This is a guy who entered Week 2 of the preseason as one of Pro Football Focus’s highest-graded rookies. But that step backward on Friday could easily keep him from sneaking onto the roster when it counts.
Cornerback Corey Thornton came into this finale already behind the eight ball. His direct challenger for the starting nickel spot, Chau Smith-Wade, wasn’t even dressed for the game. In another potential warning sign, fellow backup corner Akayleb Evans was also held out. Thornton didn’t exactly light it up during his opportunity on Friday, failing to make much noise. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him hit waivers by Sunday.
With roster cuts looming this weekend, these four Panthers are definitely in a precarious position. For them, the real season begins with some tough decisions coming down the pipeline.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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