Eric Rowe, 30, has had a fine preseason. 

Yet he still may find himself on the outside looking in after the Carolina Panthers' preseason Week 3 matchup with the Detroit Lions. 

Rowe is one of several players on the bubble that, when looking at mere talent, it wouldn't make sense for the Panthers to move on from. But the veteran defensive back's stock slid Friday when he was burned on a 33-yard touchdown by Giants rookie receiver Jalin Hyatt. He showed his age. 

The Panthers have to cut the 90-man roster down in one fail swoop by next Tuesday. Those moves will inevitably involve quality players that could start on other teams being cut because they don't fit what the Panthers hope to do in the 2023 season. And realistically, one of those names could be Rowe. 

He has registered no fewer than 56 tackles or 14 games each year he has played in the NFL. 

Yet it is his versatility that may be his downfall. 

The Panthers' secondary already has a few versatile pieces that are better than Rowe: Jeremy Chinn, Donte Jackson, and Jammie Robinson. 

So, when it comes to the rotation, Rowe may find himself on the outside looking in regarding playing time. 

But as they say, one team's trash is another team's treasure. Rowe getting cut wouldn't be a function of his inability. More so, it would be a result of the lack of viable rotation space the Panthers currently have in the secondary. 

Projected Panthers 53-man roster in Week 3 of preseason

As next Tuesday’s deadline looms for the Panthers to get down to 53 guys on the roster, it is time to project who those names may be moving forward.

Frank Reich still believes in the main culprit of the Panthers’ offensive line struggles

The Carolina Panthers have an offensive line problem, but it appears to be one head coach Frank Reich doesn’t want to admit.

Feature image via Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports.