The most shocking fact about the final preseason game? The Carolina Panthers starters won’t take the field at all. Head Coach Dave Canales made it clear the team won’t risk their main players in this last match against the Houston Texans. That means fans will only see the backups and the players fighting for the last spots on the 53-man roster.
Per Cat Scratch Reader, this final game offers the last real look at the depth pieces who’ve been grinding during joint practices. The squad spent this week drilling with the Texans, and now the focus shifts entirely to who can survive the cut. With the regular season right around the corner, the coaching staff needs to know exactly who can step up when the lights are on.
Safety Duo Sets the Tone
Lathan Ransom and Zakee Wheatley have been the names on everyone’s lips during these joint drills. Ransom has delivered some crushing hits that show he’s ready to be a force in the secondary. His running mate, Wheatley, also landed a big hit on the Texans offense during the practice sessions. Both players have shown they have the skill set to play a huge number of snaps once the regular season starts. These extra reps in the final game could be the difference between making the team or heading home. According to Cat Scratch Reader, both have played well in their limited action and are expected to start this final game together.
The coaching staff needs to see if they can handle the pressure of a real game situation without their main stars around them.
If they can set the tone early, they might just lock down their spots for the long haul.
Edge Rushers Fight for Time
The battle on the outside is just as messy as the one in the safety position. Patrick Jones and Jaelan Phillips are set to start, with Princely Umanmielen likely to get a heavy rotation of snaps. But the real drama is happening behind those three men.
During the preseason games, Trevis Gipson, Thomas Incoom, and Cam Gill have all demonstrated their capacity to pressure the quarterback. They’ll face off against Davis Mills, a backup quarterback who’s actually quite good. The backup offensive line rotation makes it hard to predict who they’ll be rushing against, but a big play could change everything.
A strong showing in this game could mean the difference between being a key part of the rotation or sitting on the practice squad. The depth chart is thin, and the coaches are watching every move these edge rushers make.
Inside Linebacker Spot Remains Open
The most uncertain position on the entire defense is inside linebacker. Neither Claudin Cherelus nor Trevin Wallace has clearly taken control of the starting role yet. This lack of a clear leader is a major worry for the Panthers as they look toward the regular season.
While one of them will likely win the job, there’s a real chance that Bam Martin-Scott or Jackson Kuwatch could steal some snaps if the decision isn’t made decisively. They’ll all be playing behind a who’s who of defensive linemen, which might make it hard to stand out without a major splash play.
According to Cat Scratch Reader, this is arguably the biggest position to watch if you plan to see the whole final preseason game (the game takes place in Canton, Ohio). The coaching staff needs to see who can lead this unit when the stakes are high. The lack of a clear winner is the biggest story in Canton this week.
