The Carolina Panthers walked away from a shootout against the Chicago Bears with a clean bill of health for the most part. This is a massive win for a team that struggled to find its footing on defense in the opener. While the Falcons are sweating over who will start at quarterback, the Panthers are ready to roll. Yahoo Sports reports that only four players sit on the injury report for Week 2, and one of those is just a rest day for a veteran who needs it.
Atlanta’s Quarterback Mess
The real story here is the chaos unfolding in the Atlanta Falcons’ camp. All three of their quarterbacks are on the injury report, leaving head coach Kevin Stefanski in a tough spot. This uncertainty is a nightmare for any opponent trying to game plan, but it is a gift for a defense that just got lit up.
Per Yahoo Sports, the Panthers are not worried about the confusion. Coach Dave Canales sees a clear path to victory because none of the Atlanta options are dangerous runners. “The good part is no singular quarterback that they have is kind of a standout in terms of being a runner,” Canales told reporters. He noted that these are pocket passers who can operate well, but they lack the dynamic zone-read element that makes a defense nervous. This is a huge relief after facing dual-threats like Caleb Williams last week.
Coker Ready to Go
On the offensive side, the news is equally bright for the Panthers. Although young wide receiver Jalen Coker appeared slightly injured early in the Bears game, he finished with the best performance of his career. His stats included two touchdowns and 138 yards gained via eight receptions. After the game, he was wearing a walking boot, which looked scary, but he said it was just precautionary. “Just rolled my ankle a little bit,” Coker said. According to Sports Illustrated, Canales indicated Jalen Coker is expected to play Sunday, a prediction supported by his limited practice return on Wednesday.
The Panthers signed Coker to a $35 million deal this offseason, a move that shows how much faith the team has in him. Now that he is healthy, he gives the offense a reliable target behind Tetairoa McMillan. The only real concerns on the Panthers side are Bobby Brown III and Patrick Jones II, who both have back issues, and Darren Waller, who simply needs days off. Brown returned to practice later in the week, which is a good sign. Waller is old and needs rest, but that is expected. The Falcons might be down a couple of starters, but the Panthers look ready to strike.
The defense still has work to do after allowing 59 points, but the matchup this week is much more manageable. If the Panthers can stop Bijan Robinson and force the Falcons to rely on an uncertain quarterback, they have a real shot at a win.
