Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich didn’t really have much of a reason, or at least a good one, as to why wideout Terrace Marshall Jr. did not play in the team’s Week 5 loss to the Detroit Lions. Oh, and neither does Terrace Marshall Jr.
After leading the team in receptions and targets last week, the third-year wideout played a grand total of zero snaps on Sunday. He was asked why he thought that was the case.
“I have no clue why I didn’t play,” Marshall Jr. replied, via Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer. “It was surprising. I didn’t expect to sit out the whole game. It just happened.”
Reich, just moments before, admitted to reporters that Marshall Jr.’s inactivity was an oversight on his part and took the blame.
“He should’ve played. He should’ve played some,” Reich said on Monday. “I wish he had gotten in there a little bit more. That’s my fault. I need to make sure, after the week he had the week before with the nine catches and got a little momentum going, that he and I had a conversation.
“So that was poor communication by me. I wanted to make sure that our guys knew to kind of make sure he had some playing time and that there would be opportunities. So that was my fault.”
Marshall Jr. seemingly gave way to rookie Jonathan Mingo, who missed the Week 4 contest with a concussion. The second-round pick recorded five receptions for 48 yards in the 42-24 loss to Detroit.
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