4 things Matt Rhule must get right at the Saints in Week 7

How to replace Juston Burris

The Carolina Panthers seem to be suffering their fair share of injury problems of late. Their latest starting absentee is safety Juston Burris, who was created off against the Bears with a rib injury that has resulted in a trip to the reserve/injured list.

How the Panthers replace Burris is going to be a pivotal decision that Matt Rhule must get right. There doesn’t appear to be much in the way of depth behind their starting duo, which might mean rookie Jeremy Chinn moves back to his normal position rather than continue at outside linebacker.

This does come with its complications. It doesn’t bear thinking about just what a mess the linebacker corps would be in had it not been for Chinn and much will come down to whether Rhule believes Tahir Whitehead and Shaq Thompson are dependable against an offense with playmakers everywhere you look.

Fifth-round pick Kenny Robinson was added to the 53-man roster. But expecting the rookie to fill a prominent starting role at this stage of his development simply isn’t realistic.

Rhule knows plenty about recent signing Sean Chandler after working with the player at Temple. The safety was signed off the New York Giants’ practice squad and his previous knowledge of the scheme might result in some playing time at the Saints.