Should the Carolina Panthers take Donte Jackson out of the firing line?

Should the Carolina Panthers let Donte Jackson heal?

Donte Jackson had some lofty expectations on his shoulders heading into the 2020 season. The Carolina Panthers chose not to match the offer former No. 1 cornerback James Bradberry received from the New York Giants in free agency, which is probably something they’d like to have back given the sensational form he’s been in this season.

This left the Carolina Panthers counting on Jackson to step up with more responsibility on his shoulders. The former second-round pick has played well on the whole, but a troublesome toe injury has been a significant complication regarding his hopes of making a lasting impression.

Jackson might be getting tired of talking about the injury. But he was favoring it once again during Carolina’s horrendous 43-26 home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers  – which resulted in just 24 percent of their defensive snaps – and the time has now come to seriously contemplate taking him out of the firing line altogether and let the problem fully heal.

Having the LSU product at less than 100 percent isn’t doing anybody any favors. His lack of ability to make a difference will only increase the doubt surrounding Jackson’s hopes of being a corner with shutdown potential and opposing teams are now targeting the player knowing full well he isn’t at the peak of his powers.

Much will depend on conversations this week between Jackson and head coach Matt Rhule as to whether he’ll be in the lineup in Week 11 against the Detroit Lions. But the Panthers aren’t playing for anything other than respectability which is something to consider when putting someone not at full health in harm’s way.