Panthers Winners and Losers From Preseason Finale: Roster cuts loom and certain players made the tough decisions much easier
The Carolina Panthers wrapped up the preseason slate on Friday against the Houston Texans and now the attention turns toward roster cuts. Here’s which players helped or hurt their stock from this game.
The Carolina Panthers wrapped up its preseason slate Friday night against the Houston Texans in what was a wet, sloppy game at Bank of America Stadium.
With the fourth and final preseason contest now behind them, all eyes turn to Sunday’s 53-man roster deadline and the tough decisions facing coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan in the coming days.
Carolina’s preseason finale answered a few questions about players battling for the bottom of the roster, and now the Panthers must trim the squad before Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. The conditions were far from ideal, but the game still produced clear separation between bubble players fighting for their NFL lives.
Winners: Bam Martin-Scott, Akayleb Evans earn roster confidence without playing a single snap
Two players who did not suit up Friday stood out among the 30 inactives: linebacker Bam Martin-Scott and cornerback Akayleb Evans. Martin-Scott was dealing with soreness and Evans was dealing with a neck injury Canales confirmed after the game, which explains why they did not play.
However, both are core special teamers for the Panthers’ unit, Dan Morgan said during the broadcast that first and foremost, you have to contribute on special teams to make this roster. It doesn’t matter what you do at your position on offense or defense. If you can’t play special teams, you’re not making the team.
Canales said the injuries may impact roster decisions, but it all depends on the timetable. Regardless, Martin-Scott and Evans are core special teamers and I see them sticking anyways despite not playing on Friday.
Loser: Albert Reese’s rough finale clouds backup tackle picture
Albert Reese entered Friday as a popular pick on 53-man roster projections as a backup tackle option. He started at right tackle and had a disastrous outing Friday. Reese committed a false start and got beaten clean in a one-on-one rep in an empty set, giving up a sack on quarterback Kenny Pickett. He had another ugly rep that should have been another sack allowed but was negated by a penalty.
Reese was eventually pulled from the lineup later in the game. Stone Forsythe, who started at left tackle, kicked over to the right side, and Brady Christensen slid to left tackle. Christensen has experience at all five offensive line positions and is a known depth piece. With Taylor Moton and Ikem Ekwonu both projected to start the season on the NFI and PUP list respectively, the Panthers needed a reliable backup tackle to emerge.
Reese had some strong preseason moments before this game, so it’s worth keeping that perspective and not to let recency bias take over. Still, he was a clear loser after Friday’s performance, and Forsythe may have gained some ground in the backup tackle race. Saying the Panthers decide to keep nine offensive linemen (I don’t see it happening).
Winner: Did Trevin Wallace stake his claim at linebacker?
Trevin Wallace was locked in a battle with Claudin Cherelus for the starting linebacker spot next to Devin Lloyd. Wallace made his case early Friday with a sack where he blew through the middle, then followed it with a strong tackle on a screen play.
However, this competition still remains close, and the two appear head-to-head. If forced to pick a winner right now, Wallace feels like the linebacker to start alongside Lloyd in Week 1. That said, the Panthers could still make an outside addition at the position before the regular season opens.
Loser: John Metchie III’s night likely seals his 53-man fate
John Metchie III was battling for a potential seventh wide receiver spot, but the Panthers will likely keep six, that’s just the numbers game. That means Ja’seem Reed and Jimmy Horn Jr. slot in at five and six alongside Brycen Tremayne and the rest of the starting trio in the receiving corps. Metchie committed a false start, which didn’t help his case.
David Moore also made more plays than Metchie in this game. Metchie’s experience with Bryce Young and his veteran presence still make him a candidate to stick on the practice squad, but in terms of the 53-man roster, he didn’t help himself Friday.
Winner: Trevis Gipson makes late push on the defensive line
Trevis Gipson turned in a strong performance with a sack and a pressure that led to an interception. He was battling with Thomas Incoom for a final defensive line spot, and both players managed to make plays. However, Incoom also contributes on special teams, which could give him an edge given Morgan’s previously stated philosophy.
That final spot between Gipson and Incoom will be one to watch heading into Sunday’s cuts. But, I was impressed with the plays that Gipson made on defense today and wanted to shout him out for it.
Loser: Ja’Tavion Sanders may have played his last game as a Panther
Ja’Tavion Sanders suited up Friday while the three tight ends ahead of him did not: Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, and Darren Waller. Canales had already said earlier in the week that Waller would sit, and Waller is the player competing directly with Sanders for the slot tight end role in this offense.
Sanders was a player to watch, suited up, and produced almost nothing. He had zero targets, and Feleipe Franks actually looked like a better pass-catching option out on the field. The Panthers appear likely to keep the three tight ends that sat out today’s game and retain Franks given his latest offensive production and special teams value.
Sanders sounds like he’s done in Carolina, and the Panthers may be better off trying to find a trade partner in the coming days before he’s cut for good.
