Nine games remain on the Carolina Panthers’ 2019 schedule. If they’re going to make the playoffs they have some questions to answer – especially after standing pat at the trade deadline.
Looking ahead, here are six key questions about the team and its trajectory for the rest of the season.
Can Cam Newton stay healthy once he comes back?
Kyle Allen’s performance against the 49ers confirmed what we already knew: soon Newton will return to the lineup. The question is what version of Newton the Panthers are going to get. When he’s healthy like in the first half of 2018, he’s at least a top-10 quarterback who is capable of carrying his team to wins, even against playoff teams. However, since late in the 2016 season Newton has been playing hurt at least as much as he’s been healthy. His throwing shoulder looks fine now, but if his foot injury is re-aggravated or the offensive line gets him hurt again (a distinct possibility) the Panthers will be in a tough spot down the stretch.
Who will step up at wide receiver?
Carolina’s wide receiver corps has under-performed this year. All together, D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel and Jarius Wright have combined for just 79 catches, 956 yards and three touchdowns. In their defense, the performances of Kyle Allen and the offensive line hasn’t helped. Neither did losing Torrey Smith to retirement and Chris Hogan to injured reserve. Still, the Panthers were reported to be interested in a receiver at the trade deadline and it’s not hard to see why. Once Newton is back on the field, somebody has to step up and lead this unit as the team’s undisputed No. 1 wideout. By rights, it should be Moore. It’s time for this first-round pick to start producing like one.
Will tight end Ian Thomas get more playing time?
One of the more surprising developments this season has been the lack of playing time for second-year tight end Ian Thomas. So far, he’s only been on the field for 55 offensive snaps – 11.5% of the team’s total. Since Week 3, the Panthers have primarily been using Greg Olsen and Chris Manhertz as blockers, so that’s part of the reason his snaps have been limited. Thomas needs to develop as a blocker, but for him to spend this much time on the sidelines amounts to a wasted pick. Thomas deserves a chance to show he can contribute at some point. Will he get it?
Will the offensive line get its act together?
Olsen and Manhertz have functioned as extra offensive linemen for good reason: the regular ones are not getting the job done. Injuries have taken their toll, especially the recurring concussion symptoms for Greg Little and Trai Turner’s ankle. That said, this unit has not lived up to expectations, especially in pass protection. Center Matt Paradis has been a disappointment, Daryl Williams has regressed and there’s little consistency overall from week to week. The brightest spot has been sixth-round pick Dennis Daley’s performance at left tackle. Until Little returns, they need to stick with Daley at that position and stop tinkering so much.
How can the Panthers account for losing Kawann Short?
This is perhaps the most difficult question for Carolina to answer down the stretch, and one that probably doesn’t have an answer. Short is one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL and replacing him was always going to be extremely difficult. The first few weeks, nobody seemed to notice much as the defensive line feasted on the mediocre front fives of the Cardinals, Texans and Jaguars. However, their run defense has dramatically fallen off to the point that no team has allowed more rushing touchdowns this season going into Week 9. We don’t have any ideas, but Rivera has to find some way to compensate for Short’s absence and stop the bleeding.
A trend or a blip for Brian Burns?
Rivera has made a number of questionable decisions in recent weeks, especially against San Francisco. Perhaps the most frustrating is the dwindling number of snaps that first-round pick Brian Burns has seen. He started out the season on fire, but since Bruce Irvin’s return from his groin injury Burns has seen his playing time drop dramatically. This past week, he only played 32%. If Burns’ wrist injury as been a factor at all, it hasn’t shown on tape. Burns needs to be on the field more often. Period.
