Watch: Washington’s muffed punt leads to Panthers special teams touchdown

Watch Washington’s Steve Sims Jr. muff a punt return, leading to a rare special teams touchdown for Brandon Zylstra.

The Panthers have lost eight of nine games. At a time like this, it never hurts to play a dysfunctional franchise.

Watch Washington’s Steve Sims Jr. muff a punt return, leading to a rare special teams touchdown for Brandon Zylstra.

Kicker Joey Slye missed the extra point, so it’s 6-0 Carolina.

[lawrence-related id=632283]

[vertical-gallery id=632242]

Watch: Panthers turn muffed punt into touchdown

Brandon Zylstra recovered the Steven Sims Jr. touchdown for a Panthers touchdown

Brandon Zylstra was on the spot Sunday as the Carolina Panthers grabbed an early lead against Washington.

The WFT muffed a punt and the ball caromed into the end zone, where Zylstra pounced on it for the touchdown.

Steven Sims Jr. was responsible for the gaffe.

Panthers Highlights: Another successful fake punt sets up Curtis Samuel touchdown

Watch rookie punter Joseph Charlton find wide reciever Brandon Zylstra wide open, resulting in another 28 yard gain.

The Panthers are getting good at this whole fake punt thing. Jeremy Chinn gained 28 yards on a trick play last week against the Falcons. Today, they tried something a little different against the Chiefs.

Watch rookie punter Joseph Charlton find wide reciever Brandon Zylstra wide open, resulting in another 28 yard gain.

A gutsy call from coach Matt Rhule.

Curtis Samuel scored a touchdown moments later.

The Panthers lead the champs 14-3 early in the second quarter.

[lawrence-related id=630627]

[vertical-gallery id=630566]

Panthers position battles: Who will win the last wide receiver spot?

Here are the players competing to earn the last receiver spot on the team.

The Panthers had an unprecedented offensive coaching overhaul this offseason, hiring a new head coach, offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. With new coaches come new schemes, and Joe Brady has already expressed his desire to utilize multiple receiver sets in Carolina.

The team currently has six receivers all but guaranteed their roster spot this year: DJ Moore, Robby Anderson, Curtis Samuel, Keith Kirkwood, Seth Roberts and Pharoh Cooper. Some are also expected to contribute on special teams, further locking in their role. But multiple receiver sets means keeping more than the traditional six receivers and Panthers have a few dark horses lingering on the bottom of the depth chart.

Now, as training camp gets underway, the battle for the final spot is heating up. Here are the players competing to earn the last receiver spot on the team.

DeAndrew White

DeAndrew White
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

White (six-foot, 185 pounds) comes into the competition with a couple of clear advantages over some of the other options. After going unpicked in the 2015 NFL draft, White floated around multiple teams before finally earning some playing time on the Panthers roster last season. During his four preseason games in 2019, the third-year receiver recorded six catches for 122 yards, including this 54-yard reception from quarterback Will Grier. Not only does White have the advantage of three years of real NFL experience, but he is also the only one with experience as a slot receiver, something important to multiple receiver sets. He also has ability as a kick returner.