The Carolina Panthers just made their first cut to trim the roster down to 53 players. According to reports, the team waived a running back along with six other players, marking the first reported casualty of the cutdown process. This isn’t a shock to fans who’ve watched the preseason closely, but it’s a clear signal that the roster is finally taking shape. The team started the month with 90 players, and now they’ve got to fit everyone into the final lineup by Sunday at 6:00pm Eastern time.
The Backfield Battle Is Real
Running backs are usually the first to go when teams need to save space on the depth chart. The Panthers kept bringing in competition for Chuba Hubbard, yet he remains the lead back to start the season. Per Cat Scratch Reader, Hubbard has earned the starting spot despite the new faces. Jonathon Brooks is expected to push him for touches if he can regain his college form. The team also has Trevor Etienne and AJ Dillon in the mix, but the numbers suggest a tight squeeze. An ankle injury caused Etienne to exit Friday night’s game, leaving his status uncertain. If the injury is mild, Dillon could end up on the practice squad instead of the main roster.
Special Teams Decide The Final Spots
The bottom of the roster is where the real drama happens every single year. Dan Morgan stated that special teams contributions significantly influence decisions at the roster’s bottom. This rule often hurts talented players who can’t block or tackle in coverage. For several years, wide receiver David Moore has provided reliability within the system while adding special teams value. Yet Ja’seem Reed displayed greater receiver capability during camp and the preseason. The coaches will have to decide if Reed’s hands are worth more than Moore’s experience on defense. It’s a tough choice that defines the team’s depth for the first few weeks of the season.
Quarterbacks And Tight Ends Stay Put
While the running backs face uncertainty, the quarterback room looks much more stable. Bryce Young faces a critical season where he must demonstrate legitimate NFL starter potential. Kenny Pickett and Haynes King round out the top three. Although King has been absent since the Hall of Fame game, Dave Canales expects him to be ready for Week 1. That implies King will be on the roster to help the offense. While the team signed Darren Waller in a splash move at tight end, his limited preseason appearances suggest he isn’t fully prepared for game action. He can come up if and when he gets healthy, but for now, Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, and Ja’Tavion Sanders are the likely starters.
The clock is ticking down to the Sunday deadline, and the team has to make these hard calls fast. The waiver wire order and NFL rules will determine who gets picked up by other teams. Fans will know the final list by Sunday evening when the cuts are official.
