The Panthers didn’t get much out of their first real preseason test against the Bills, but a few players still found ways to help themselves. In a game that was mostly rough for Carolina, those reps mattered. For guys on the bubble, one good night can shift the conversation fast.
Jimmy Horn Jr. was one of the clearest winners. He didn’t light up the box score on offense, but he’s been steady in camp, and that carried over.
His biggest impact came on special teams, where he brought back a kick 30 yards and looked like the best return man on the field. Carolina already knows he can do some work on offense, and adding another layer on special teams only strengthens his case for a final WR spot.
The pass rush also gave the Panthers something to hang onto. That was one of the few areas that showed up against Buffalo, with pressure coming from both the starters and the reserves.
Cam Gill, who is fighting for a roster spot, made a noticeable push. He finished with a sack to share the team lead, added a tackle for loss, and also logged two more QB hits.
With Nic Scourton sidelined, there’s a job available, and Gill made his argument.
Aaron Hall was another player who took advantage of the moment. The Duke UDFA had been quiet through camp and the Hall of Fame Game, even after injuries and a shock retirement opened things up along the interior defensive line.
Against the Bills, though, he finally looked like the athletic force Carolina was hoping for. Hall recorded half a sack and another QB hit, and he was a steady presence up front while the Panthers searched for pressure.
The running back battle is still unsettled, but Trevor Etienne appears to be moving ahead in it. Carolina likely won’t carry four backs, which leaves Anthony Tyus, Trevor Etienne, AJ Dillon, and Miles Davis competing for the spot behind Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks.
Etienne already had an edge because of his return work, and now his receiving ability is helping him separate. He showed real promise as a pass-catching option out of the backfield, and that kind of versatility can go a long way.
In Other News...
Panthers Still Have 1 Preseason Problem At Every Level
Two preseason games in, Carolina is still sorting out a few of the places where the depth chart is supposed to start taking shape, and linebacker remains one of the clearest examples. The staff is evaluating a close battle for the LB2 role next to Devin Lloyd, with Claudin Cherelus and Trevin Wallace both getting a long look as the Panthers try to settle one of the most important spots on the defense before the regular season arrives.
There is similar uncertainty on the offensive side, where the team is working through a new system under Brad Idzik and Bryce Young while also figuring out how the running backs will be used. The latest complication comes with Darren Waller, who signed recently but is still learning the playbook, leaving his status for roster cuts another part of a broader preseason puzzle that still has pieces missing at every level. [Read more 🡒]
Bryce Young Enters Carolinas Biggest Debate Yet
Bryce Young is heading into the kind of season quarterbacks usually spend years trying to avoid, a year when every throw feels tied to bigger questions about the Carolina Panthers future. The roster around him has improved enough to create optimism, especially on defense, and the team has added some offensive help, but the situation still asks Young to carry a heavy load while proving he can be the long-term answer.
Even with those upgrades, the support system is far from settled, which is why this season carries so much weight for both sides. Carolina can talk about development and patience, but the reality is Young has to show real progress in a lineup that still has holes and depth concerns, or the conversation quickly shifts from an extension to the possibility of another reset at quarterback. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers May Have Found The Tight End Help This Offense Needed
The Panthers have spent much of the offseason looking for a tighter fit at tight end, and the signing of veteran Darren Waller gives them a proven option with real pass-catching upside. Carolinas current group produced just over 600 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season, which left room for a more dynamic presence in the middle of the field and near the goal line.
Waller arrives with a track record that suggests he can change that equation if he earns a spot on the final roster. The 32-year-old was productive in his most recent action and drew strong marks from Pro Football Focus, but the bigger question for Carolina is whether that form carries over long enough to make him a factor in the red zone once the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]