The Panthers left preseason with a 3-1 mark after Friday night’s win over the Texans, but the number that matters most is the one that comes next: Week 1. Preseason records can look shiny and still mean almost nothing once the games count for real, and the Panthers know that better than most.
What Friday did provide was a final look at where the roster stands beneath the surface. Even with the starters and several immediate backups sitting out, Carolina’s defense came out looking fast, aggressive and deep.
The pass rush kept showing up, the secondary looked sturdier than expected, and the linebackers held their own as well. If this is the kind of depth the Panthers have built, that’s a strong sign.
Feleipe Franks continued to help his case. His special teams value has always given him a real path to the final 53, and he reinforced that on Friday.
But he also flashed more than that, showing some of the offensive ability he’s displayed in camp. He made a few strong plays and picked up yards after the catch, which only adds to his appeal.
Up front, the difference when Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt are in the lineup was obvious again. Carolina saw it last week, and Friday offered another reminder.
Without them, the Panthers had trouble at times with pressure up the middle, and the running game - even with the “starters” for this game on the field - never really got going. The depth behind Hunt and Lewis remains a concern.
Jimmy Horn Jr. also kept making it clear why the Panthers want him involved. He was a problem in multiple ways, using both the passing game and the run game to create impact.
He ripped off a nice end-around, turned a screen into a huge gain before a penalty wiped it out, and added a few more good moments on top of that. It was another look at how dangerous he can be, even in a limited role.
And then there’s the wide receiver battle. With the exception of John Metchie, whose roster fate may already be decided, the other hopefuls at the position turned in solid preseason finales.
Carolina could carry six or seven receivers, and if that happens, the final decisions are going to be tough. There are several players who made a real case for themselves.
In Other News...
Panthers End Preseason With One Reason Fans Should Feel Better
The Panthers closed the preseason with a 16-13 home win over the Texans, and the box score looked a lot like what you would expect from a final tune-up in late August. Most of the work came from backups, the game stayed tight and points were hard to come by, but Carolina still left with a 3-1 preseason mark and a little more confidence heading into the real thing.
Kenny Pickett and Kyle Trask both got snaps, with Trask helping steady the offense through the air, while Miles Davis supplied the touchdown in a game shaped more by defense and field goals than big plays. The more encouraging sign for Carolina may have been what happened on the other side of the ball, where the Panthers limited Houston to 173 total yards and looked more like a team ready to carry some preseason momentum forward. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Preseason Win Just Made Several Roster Battles Tougher
The Panthers preseason win over the Texans did more than add another positive result to August. It gave the coaching staff one more live look at a handful of players fighting for jobs, and the defensive side of the ball had some performances that made the evaluation a little more complicated. Jared Harrison-Hunte flashed as a pass-rush presence, Trevin Wallace also made his mark with pressure, and the overall tape offered enough encouraging moments to keep several names in the conversation as the roster cut deadline approaches.
Peter Hansens role added another wrinkle to the night. With the linebackers coach handling defensive play-calling instead of the usual coordinator style, the game had a slightly different feel for a unit trying to sort out roles and responsibilities on the fly. For some backups, the inconsistency only made the path tougher, while for others the opportunity to stand out in a crowded competition was exactly what they needed. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Took A Real Risk On Darren Waller For Right Now
Darren Wallers move to Carolina fits into a strange and very modern NFL trend: proven veterans reaching a point where talent still matters, but durability and availability suddenly matter more. For the Panthers, the one-year deal brought in a player with real production on his rsum and a past that already included one retirement, which is part of why the move felt less like a long-term bet and more like a calculated swing on a tight end who could still change an offense right away.
The broader picture around the league only adds to the intrigue, with names like Tyreek Hill and ZaDarius Smith also navigating uncertain futures shaped by injuries, role changes and personal decisions. Carolina, though, is the team most directly tied to the gamble, because Wallers path from retirement back to the field now runs through a roster that needs immediate help more than it needs a patient project. [Read more 🡒]