5 players trending down after Week 1 of Panthers training camp

Denzel Perryman – Carolina Panthers LB

To say it’s been an eventful start to life with the Carolina Panthers for Denzel Perryman would be something of an understatement. The linebacker caused a stir on moving-in day by showing off his ticket en route to Wofford College in Spartanburg, before going on to announce he wasn’t vaccinated against COVID-19 and had no plans to get it.

This hasn’t exactly gone down well with a large section of the team’s fanbase. But it is a personal choice at the end of the day for right or wrong.

However, it’s on the field where Perryman’s stock has dropped slightly.

Many projected the free-agent signing from the Los Angeles Chargers to slot in as the starter at inside linebacker. A position that was a complete disaster for most of 2020 in the immediate aftermath of Luke Kuechly’s retirement.

Jermaine Carter did perform well when he was slotted into this position last season in favor of Tahir Whitehead, who was simply not up to the required standard. It now appears as if the former fifth-round pick is getting the first refusal on winning the job, leaving Perryman relegated to a backup role initially.

There isn’t much in the way of quality depth at linebacker, so Perryman will still see his fair share of snaps. But make no mistake, there is much work to be done before Week 1.