Panthers coach Ron Rivera just wrapped up his regular Monday press conference. He answered questions about the team’s four-game losing streak, his own job security and a few key players.
First up, fans who are holding out hope that we might get to see what third-round draft pick Will Grier can do this season are not going to like this. Rivera told reporters that Kyle Allen will continue to start at quarterback.
Allen played brilliantly two weeks ago against the Saints, but he floundered against a far inferior Redskins team after a hot start. On the deciding play of the game, he missed a wide open Jarius Wright in the end zone even though he appeared to be looking right at him. Instead of letting it fly, Allen scrambled and ran himself into another sack.
That sort of up-and-down dynamic has defined Allen’s season. It’s also pretty typical of a backup quarterback – even a good one like Allen. The Panthers should definitely keep him around for that role. However, we know what Allen is. It’s past time to find out what Grier can be.
For whatever reason, Rivera seems completely uninterested in giving Grier any legitimate playing time. When he was asked, Rivera responded “who knows.”
Moving on, Rivera also gave an update on tight end Greg Olsen, who took a vicious shot to the head from Washington linebacker Ryan Anderson. Olsen appeared to be knocked out immediately from the blow and made no effort to brace his fall. Anderson was ejected, while Olsen went into the concussion protocol and did not return to the game.
Rivera says Olsen is still in the protocol but didn’t give any more information than that. He did seem to hint that Olsen will be out this week, saying Ian Thomas has to be prepared to step up.
Thomas was a fourth-round pick in the 2018 draft and like a number of other young players, he hasn’t seen much playing time this year.
For what it’s worth, Thomas looked sharp after Olsen left the game. He caught all four of his targets from Allen, totaling 24 receiving yards. Thomas showed potential last season but also a need to develop more. It will be interesting to see how much progress he’s made.
