Will Seth Roberts’ concussion cost him targets with the Panthers in 2020?

Wide receiver Seth Roberts has missed some time during training camp with a concussion, but will this impact his targets with the Carolina Panthers in 2020?

The countdown is now at the business end as the Carolina Panthers edge closer to their return to competitive action. We are now just 15 days away from their 2020 season opener, which will end the most turbulent offseason in recent memory for the franchise.

Nobody will forget this preparation period in a hurry. Significant concerns regarding COVID-19 continue to cast a shadow over the NFL. But everything is going to plan regarding safety precautions so far as the league looks set to start on time and the Carolina Panthers have led the way when it comes to providing players and staff members with the safest environment possible.

Things are still relatively uncertain in Carolina. They have a young defense that might go through their fair share of growing pains. But the Panthers’ offense looks stacked with talent that could make a massive difference in 2020.

Continuing our countdown feature ahead of the new season, we now turn our attention to Carolina’s No. 15. Seth Roberts was a notable free-agent acquisition to further bolster the Panthers’ options at wide receiver. But his training camp experience has not been a pleasurable one in recent weeks.

The Carolina Panthers must be cautious with Seth Roberts.

The former Baltimore Raven has missed a considerable period in the concussion protocol. But all signs point to him making a return to the field in the not-too-distant future. And hopefully, there will not be any long-term implications for Roberts as it is not the first time he has felt the effects of a big blow to the head.

There is plenty of competition for places at the wideout spot. The Panthers’ top-three options in D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, and Curtis Samuel could be among the NFL’s best trios. The likes of Pharoh Cooper, Brandon Zylstra, and free-agent pickup Cam Phillips also looking for targets alongside Roberts.

What Roberts does have going for him is an ability to offer something that the Panthers do not have. He is a big body at 6-foot-2 that has a tremendous speed to call upon. The player also knows how to make the most of coming in and making a contribution from his experience as a rotational player in the Ravens’ run-first offense in 2019. This is also something that will stand him in good stead.

Cooper and Zylstra have been at their best for the majority of camp. This has been especially evident in Roberts’ time on the sidelines. When the wideout does eventually get back into team drills, he needs to catch the eye in no uncertain terms.

The concussion is something that might cost Roberts some targets in 2020. Chances might be few and far between anyway given the strength of other preferred options available to the Panthers. But his place on the 53-man roster seems secure enough.

It is going to be interesting to see how offensive coordinator Joe Brady distributes targets with many talented players looking for the ball. Roberts will need to make the most out of every opportunity that comes his way. And he is also going to be a tremendous option to have in the red zone thanks to his assured hands and ability to get open in tight windows.

There is no point in risking Roberts during team drills until he is fully over his head injury. No matter how much the player wants to get back out there, making sure the receiver is ready for Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders is of paramount importance.