The Carolina Panthers will allow the media in to watch practice today for the first time in 2020. As we move into the next phase of this training camp schedule, we should probably expect another round of roster cuts soon.
Here are four players on offense who may be cut next.
WR/KR DeAndrew White
What White did against the Steelers in August last year (four catches, 94 yards) is proof of how valuable the preseason can be for young players. This year, White won’t have that opportunity to put something good on tape. Saturday’s report that the team tried out former Saints receiver/returner Tommylee Lewis is also bad news for White, who is already near the bottom of a crowded depth chart at wide receiver and has a similar skill-set. Lewis also has the benefit of familiarity with Joe Brady from their time together in New Orleans. If Lewis signs, White could be waived in a corresponding move.
Update: Lewis has been signed and White has indeed been cut. The Panthers also added former Eagles wideout Marken Michel.
C Chris Reed
Coach Matt Rhule singled out a few players for praise in his Friday Zoom press conference. One of them was undrafted center Sam Tecklenburg, who played for Rhule at Baylor and was recruited out of an early retirement by him. That connection will be a powerful advantage for Tecklenburg over the other centers trying to make the team. Matt Paradis is guaranteed to make it given his contract. Tyler Larsen is also a valuable backup piece who isn’t going anywhere. That leaves Reed as the potential odd man out, especially since the team can save $1,425,000 by cutting him.
TE Temarrick Hemingway
The Panthers have needed another tight end ever since Seth DeValve was waived with a non-football injury. Their depth at this spot was already pretty thin, too. Hemingway has more experience than some of the other young tight ends trying to make the roster. However, he’s only played 18 offensive snaps in his career in the regular season. The team recently worked out former Chargers tight end Andrew Vollert, so they are actively looking for help. If they add another name at this position, Hemingway could lose his spot to either the free agent or one of the two undrafted rookies.
Update: Vollert has also signed. Hemingway was spared and the rookie Cam Sutton was waived instead.
RB Jordan Scarlett
Another player Rhule has been impressed by is veteran running back Mike Davis, who Rhule says is in the competition for the RB2 spot behind Christian McCaffrey. Most of this offseason we have assumed the team would cut Davis and take the $3 million in cap savings, but now it seems less likely given the premium on experience. Davis has far more than the other backups on the roster and Reggie Bonnafon has already proved he can break off explosive runs at this level. Meanwhile, Scarlett only played eight offensive snaps as a rookie. While it’s rare for a fifth-round pick to get cut a year later, it’s not unheard of. Scarlett will need to show something these next few weeks.
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