Now that the Carolina Panthers have officially rolled out their first unofficial depth chart of the 2024 regular season, let’s do a little dissection.
Here are the four biggest takeaways from Tuesday’s release . . .
Ja’Tavion Sanders may be starting in his NFL debut
The Week 1 outlook on both Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas, who continue to nurse their respective soft-tissue injuries, remained a bit bleak entering the week. Then, it got even bleaker on Tuesday—when multiple reports from this afternoon revealed that the team is set to sign rookie tight end Messiah Swinson off the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad.
Carolina’s addition of Swinson, now the fifth tight end on their 53-man roster, likely indicates that at least one of Tremble or Thomas will not be ready to suit up on Sunday. That would leave an opportunity to start for Sanders, who is listed as the next man up.
And Sanders, along with his newly-minted No. 0 uniform, could take advantage of said opportunity following an eye-opening summer.
Brady Christensen, backup center
The Panthers haven’t made life easy for Big Brady, ever since they drafted him back in 2021. A standout left tackle during his collegiate career at Brigham Young University, Christensen has been moved around quite a bit—as he’s picked up snaps at every single position on the offensive line . . . except for center. Heck, he didn’t play there during the preseason.
Nonetheless, Christensen comes in as the No. 2 behind starter Austin Corbett—who is in his first season at the spot. Rookie Andrew Raym, the only true center on the roster, is listed as the No. 3.
So, head coach Dave Canales may have found that role for Christensen.
The No. 2 OLB
Former No. 1 overall pick and three-time Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney finally has his pass-rushing partner.
Perhaps the most concerning question mark on the roster, the second starting outside linebacker role is being filled by second-year defender DJ Johnson. The 2023 third-rounder disappointed as a rookie, recording as many sacks as your grandmother did this past season.
After today’s release of former first-rounder K’Lavon Chaisson, Clowney and Johnson are backed by Eku Leota and Jamie Sheriff—who was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks last week.
Return man
Wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette did a fine job on punt duties for Carolina in 2023, leading the entire league in returns and even sprinkling in a 79-yard touchdown against the Chicago Bears in Week 10. But he’s gone now.
That’s left the vacancy to running back Raheem Blackshear, who is also listed as the primary kick returner. He’s flanked by veteran wideout David Moore.
Blackshear has six career punt returns, all of which came for the Panthers in 2022.
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