4 Panthers players who need to step up at the Chargers in Week 3

Curtis Samuel – Carolina Panthers WR

How the Carolina Panthers are using Curtis Samuel during the early stages of the campaign is baffling, to say the least. The wide receiver has all the tools necessary to become a prominent offensive weapon, but he has been virtually invisible over the last two weeks.

Targets and carries have been few and far between for Samuel, which will only add to the player’s frustrations during a contract year. If this continues for much longer it is going to put his long-term future with the franchise in serious question and nobody could blame him for wanting to take his chances elsewhere.

That being said, there is a real opportunity for Samuel to become a more prominent member of the Panthers offense following the injury to Christian McCaffrey. The wideout is a dual-threat weapon who is a threat to score every time he touches the ball and this is something that should no longer be overlooked by Joe Brady in the absence of his All-Pro running back.

Everything pointed to a breakout season in 2020 for Samuel. The former second-round pick finally got over the injury problems that blighted his first two years in the league last year and his lack of involvement early on has put this into question.

With McCaffrey on the sidelines, this is the time that Samuel should be used. With just one carry and ten targets to his name so far this season, the playing should be chomping at the bit to get more action thrown his way.