The Panthers might have walked into the preseason as favorites to win the NFC South again, but that position has been greatly compromised by the injuries which have whacked them throughout the month of August.
Losing star wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin for the year was the big one, but they’ve been dealing with a number of other issues which will make it harder to repeat as division champs.
Via Bill Voth of Black and Blue Review, they’re dealing with a number of injuries new and old.
For one, their receiving corps is having a hard time replacing Benjamin at the moment because they’re seemingly all hurt. Rookie Devin Funchess remains out with a hamstring strain, and was joined on the sidelines by Jerricho Cotchery, who coach Ron Rivera said had “just a tweak” of a groin muscle and was expected to play in the regular season opener.
They’re equally optimistic about defensive end Charles Johnson, who had a trapezius muscle” lock up” on him in practice earlier this week.
“He walked in like Quasimodo,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera joked.
Johnson hasn’t played in the preseason because of a calf strain, and Rivera said he hoped to get him some snaps Thursday at Pittsburgh. The same hope holds for defensive tackle Kawann Short, who hasn’t played in the preseason with back spasms. Meanwhile, defensive tackle Star Lotulelei is still dealing with a persistent foot problem which had him in a boot.
Also (as if they needed any more), it appears versatile defensive back Colin Jones may miss some time with a groin injury. Rivera described it as “much more than a tweak,” and that Jones is going to see a specialist. Jones, one of the fastest players on the roster, plays a number of roles as a nickel corner, safety and special teams player.