5 Carolina Panthers players who impressed during Colts scrimmages
By Dean Jones
Which Carolina Panthers players emerged from scrimmages against the Indianapolis Colts with a great deal of credit?
The first big test for the Carolina Panthers is now in the books as the team gets set for the opening preseason game at the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Matt Rhule’s men no doubt gained a tremendous amount from the two joint practices against a playoff team in 2020 ahead of the warmup contest, but it’s clear that there is a lot of work to be done for the organization to reach this level.
Indifferent would be the best way to describe how these scrimmages went against the Colts. Carolina looked a little sluggish on Day 1 before picking things up on Friday, with plenty of individual highlights for the coaching staff to take from this part of the offseason.
This will be far more valuable to the decision-making process than anything Carolina gets done in Wofford. Real football activity is something that was sorely lacking from last summer’s preparations thanks to COVID-19, but Rhule and his staff must get some big decisions right in the not-too-distant future.
With this in mind, here are five Panthers players who stood out during joint practices at the Colts.
Player No. 1
Joseph Charlton – Carolina Panthers P
Although probably not the first player anybody was looking at, Joseph Charlton caught the eye with some assured kicking that only cements his status as a potential long-term No. 1 punter in Carolina.
Charlton was signed as an undrafted free agent last year and won the starting job immediately. Not only this, but his production was to such a standard that the Panthers had no trouble releasing Michael Palardy with one year remaining on his deal.
Special teams’ play is an important part of whatever success comes Carolina’s way in 2021. In Charlton, they can be safe in the knowledge his dependability could make a big difference next season and possibly beyond.