5 Panthers players who might see more game time vs. Saints in Week 2
By Dean Jones
Sean Chandler – Carolina Panthers S
With Myles Hartsfield out for the foreseeable future, the Carolina Panthers have to get creative to keep the momentum going in the right direction.
Whether this is by installing someone like Stantley Thomas-Oliver III or even Keith Taylor Jr. in the nickel remains unclear. But defensive coordinator Phil Snow also has the option of moving Jeremy Chinn or Juston Burris down in coverage should the opportunity arise.
If he decides to implement one of the starting safeties in this area, it might see Sean Chandler thrust into more action. The player has gained the trust of head coach Matt Rhule from their time together at Temple, which was enhanced by a standout training camp and preseason.
Chandler was on the gridiron for 26 percent of the team’s defensive snaps on Sunday. He also more than held his own on a unit that was in no mood to mess around.
Much will obviously depend on which direction Carolina goes with their slot cornerback.
Corn Elder was signed to the practice squad this week and was immediately one of the four protected players. So this is something to keep a close eye on throughout the week regarding potential activation to the 53-man roster.
That being said, Chandler is generating some real momentum and it wouldn’t be the biggest shock in the world to see him utilized more against the Saints.