The Carolina Panthers are scrambling to find bodies for the secondary, and they finally found one on Friday. After working out with the staff on Thursday, Jakorian Bennett, the former Las Vegas Raiders fourth-round pick, was signed to the practice squad by the team. Bennett’s practice squad signing comes after he cleared waivers unclaimed, leaving the 26-year-old cornerback available for a team in desperate need of help. To make room for this new addition, the Panthers released practice squad member Zion Childress, swapping one depth piece for another in a frantic effort to stabilize a broken back end.
The team is already without Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, and Akayleb Evans due to various injuries. Rookie Will Lee III has been sidelined all week with a hamstring issue and is likely to be ruled out of the upcoming matchup. Consequently, only Chau Smith-Wade and Malcolm DeWalt IV remain on the active roster as healthy corners prepared to play. Per Sporting News, the pass defense struggled significantly against the Green Bay Packers in the recent 27-19 loss, and the injury list is the primary reason for that breakdown.
Wash Backs the Remaining Group
Despite the thin depth chart, interim defensive coordinator Todd Wash is refusing to panic. “Obviously, we’re down a couple of guys, but I have faith in who we have,” interim defensive coordinator Todd Wash said. He also highlighted the specific value of practice squad callup Marco Wilson, who played 69 defensive snaps last week and performed well. “I like where we’re at and (Marco Wilson’s) got a certain skill set where I think we can get something out of him,” Wash added.
Looking for Help Without a Trade
The clock is ticking, but the Panthers can simply trade for a solution. With the November 10 trade deadline approaching, head coach Dave Canales admits the options are limited. The team simply cannot trade for anyone to fix the immediate hole, forcing them to rely on internal moves and tryouts. “That’s all stuff we have to consider,” head coach Dave Canales said regarding the constraints. The coaching staff continues to bring in veterans they have liked in the past to see if they can contribute immediately. “Dan just continues to look for guys that we’ve liked in the past and bringing guys in so we can see them in person,” Canales added.
Bennett has allowed a 57.5 reception percentage and an 80.6 passer rating over his time with the Raiders and Eagles. While it is unlikely he will be elevated to the active roster for Sunday’s game, he provides a crucial safety net for the weeks ahead. The Panthers host the Denver Broncos on Sunday, November 8, at 1 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium.
