4 Panthers players who could get hot down the stretch
By Dean Jones
Curtis Samuel – Carolina Panthers WR
Curtis Samuel was one of eight Carolina Panthers players who were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday. But it is reported that the wide receiver is just a close contact and could come off it in time to face the Denver Broncos in Week 14.
This would be a significant boost to a roster that is set to be decimated on Sunday. Samuel has the sort of mentality to relish the opportunity of more targets and this has the potential to see his numbers soar in the last four games of the 2020 season.
Although the Panthers won’t be in the playoff hunt after failing to come through in close games, there is still plenty riding on things from Samuel’s perspective. The former Ohio State star is out of contract in 2021 and a fine finish to the campaign would no doubt see some extra dollars added to his demands when it’s time to go to the bargaining table next spring.
Samuel has a catch success rate of 85.7 percent this season from 63 targets, which is among the NFL’s best and one of the primary reasons why he’s become such a trusted target of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater as the season’s gone on.
It is essential for the Panthers to keep Samuel around, providing the financial outlay isn’t too steep. However, if the 2017 second-round pick gets hot in the coming weeks it is going to come with even more interest from elsewhere.