3 Panthers position groups that must step up at the Texans in Week 3

Carolina Panthers secondary

Journeyman Tyrod Taylor, now in his 11th season, has been anchoring the quarterback slot while Deshaun Watson watches from the sidelines in street clothes.

Suffering a hamstring injury in a 31-21 loss to the Cleveland Browns, Taylor has already been ruled out for Thursday night’s contest elevating former Stanford Cardinal Davis Mills to QB1.

The 67th overall pick of the 2021 draft will be the signal-caller making his NFL debut against a defense who welcomed fellow rookie, Zach Wilson of the New York Jets, in Week 1 with six sacks and 10 hurries.

Making his introduction in primetime only elevates the pressure Mills will be under as he must navigate Phil Snow’s defensive scheme in the secondary.

Thus far, Donte Jackson and rookie Jaycee Horn have been shutting down the opposing team’s wide receiver corps. If these two can continue to take away the route trees while Jeremy Chinn and Juston Burris man the safety positions, Mills may be forced into poor decisions leading to broken plays, interceptions, and a shaken confidence.

This represents a real opportunity for the Carolina Panthers. One their defensive coordinator at the players at his disposal are sure to relish.