One of the longest-running questions of the summer for the Carolina Panthers has finally been answered. Well, at least for now.
Following Friday’s final practice ahead of the 2021 season opener, head coach Matt Rhule tabbed wideout Alex Erickson as the team’s punt returner for the contest.
“It’ll be Erickson,” Rhule said when asked who earned the honors for Week 1. “He’s got a long history of doing it. Did it in the preseason, did it in the last several years.”
Erickson, with the Panthers still hurting for experience in the return game, was added to the practice squad just four days ago. The sixth-year receiver has fielded 135 punts over his career.
“He’s been really good at practice,” Rhule added. “Smart, can back us up at different positions. So he’s a guy we have a lot of confidence in.”
As for kick return duties on Sunday, running back Chuba Hubbard will take the reins there.
Considering there is not an active player on the roster who returned a single punt for the Panthers in 2020, allowing the seasoned Erickson to step up is the rational move. He’ll need to be promoted from the practice squad leading up to kickoff.
