The NFC South is already giving us a little of everything: a couple of injury questions in Tampa, a quarterback situation in Atlanta that still hasn’t been fully shared, and in Carolina, Bryce Young is looking every bit like a player who has taken command.
In Tampa, Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles didn’t sugarcoat what he saw from edge rusher Rueben Bain after a quiet second NFL game. Bowles said, “I don’t think he’s completely healthy, but at the same time, he’s good enough to play, so we’ve got to get more production there.”
Bowles also addressed wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who was limited to seven snaps in his return from injury. “He’s healthy and he’s not all the way there yet, but he’s closer to getting there. Just to get him in and try to get him juiced up and get him going was a good start.”
In Atlanta, Falcons HC Kevin Stefanski said he doesn’t have a public update on the quarterback situation. “I have a decent idea of where we’re going, but I haven’t spoken to players yet.”
Stefanski also gave a brief update on QB Tua Tagovailoa’s oblique. “We will work through what that means for this week, but he’s getting better.”
The strongest momentum in the division right now belongs to the Panthers and Bryce Young. He has been blazing out of the gate in his fourth season, carving up the Bears and Falcons in consecutive weeks. Through that stretch, Young has thrown for 648 yards, accounted for seven total touchdowns, and tossed one interception.
The level of competition matters, sure, but Young’s play has still stood out because of how he’s doing it. He’s pushing the ball downfield and showing complete command of the offense.
“It’s no surprise at all because of the games he’s had over the last couple of years, where when he puts the whole game plan together and has that understanding and ownership and the playcaller’s intent, we’ve had amazing performances,” Panthers HC Dave Canales said via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “But it’s the consistency of how it’s showing up now. And then I think the biggest thing to talk about is his ownership of what we’re doing.
“And what I’ve seen from him throughout this [summer] is a lot of conversations on the side with T-Mac [ Tetairoa McMillan ], with [Jalen] Coker, with Xavier [Legette]. Darren [Waller] shows up, Tommy [Tremble], the tight ends, the backs. It’s just becoming his because I see him fine-tuning what our concepts really are.”
In Other News...
Panthers Suddenly Face A Backfield Decision They Didn't Expect
Jonathon Brooks latest setback has put the Panthers in a spot they probably hoped to avoid this early in the season. Brooks reaggravated his groin injury against the Falcons and is now considered week-to-week, leaving Carolina to sort through its backfield depth while trying to keep the offense on schedule. AJ Dillon is already in the mix, and Trevor Etienne is expected back soon, which gives the Panthers at least some internal options as they wait for clarity on Brooks.
Still, the situation has created room for outside speculation, including a possible short-term look at Chargers running back Kimani Vidal. No official move has been reported, and Carolina may decide the current group can bridge the gap without adding another body. But with Brooks sidelined again, the Panthers are suddenly weighing a decision they did not expect to be making this soon. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Just Added A Name To Watch On Special Teams
The Panthers kept tinkering with the back end of their roster by adding wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette to the practice squad and moving on from E.J. Williams to make room. Smith-Marsette brings a different kind of value than a typical receiver addition, since he has experience as a return specialist and has already bounced around to multiple NFL teams after being drafted in 2021.
For Carolina, the move is less about immediate headlines and more about depth, flexibility and keeping a useful special teams option in the building. Smith-Marsette now joins the rest of the practice squad as another player the Panthers can evaluate, and his background suggests the team is at least taking a closer look at whether he can carve out a role beyond simply being a camp arm. [Read more 🡒]
Bryce Young Puts Panthers Momentum To The Test Against Cleveland
After both teams shook off opening-week losses with Week 2 wins, the Panthers now get another early chance to see whether their momentum is real or just a brief September surge. Bryce Young remains central to that question, because Carolinas ability to keep building on last weeks success will depend on whether its offense can keep finding enough rhythm against a Cleveland group that can make life difficult on both sides of the ball.
The matchup also brings a classic early-season measuring stick feel, with two teams trying to establish some stability before the schedule starts to tighten. Betting trends and recent scoring patterns have pointed toward a higher-scoring game, which only adds to the intrigue for Carolina as it tries to prove the Week 2 bounce was more than a one-game rebound. [Read more 🡒]