5 under-the-radar Panthers players that must step up at the Cowboys

Which Carolina Panthers players going under the radar must step up and contribute at the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4?

After three weeks of relative comfort to start the 2021 season, the Carolina Panthers go into their game at the Dallas Cowboys with a lot of questions to answer. This has nothing to do with the team’s production so far – which has been exemplary – but rather just who’ll come to the fore in the wake of three major injuries.

One could argue that this is the first time Carolina will be truly tested this season. Although people seem to have forgotten that the New Orleans Saints came into their Week 2 clash having dismantled the Green Bay Packers.

This is a crossroads game for the Panthers, who come up against a Dallas team that has long been the national media darling and are generating plenty of buzz regarding their potential Super Bowl chances after two straight wins.

With a trio of prominent starting players missing in Week 4, here are five under-the-radar roster members that need to step up and make a lasting contribution.

Player No. 1

John Miller – Carolina Panthers OG

If the Carolina Panthers are to emerge from AT&T Stadium with their fourth straight victory, the offensive line needs to be a commanding force throughout. Not exactly the biggest guarantee in the world, but it’s worth remembering the Cowboys don’t have the presence of Demarcus Lawrence to call upon.

That being said, Dan Quinn’s done a nice job with this unit in the early going, so players like John Miller need to be ready for whatever schemes and blitz packages come their way.

Miller missed the first game due to COVID-19, playing 144 snaps so far and not giving up a sack or penalty. If he can produce the goods and solidify the right-hand side alongside Taylor Moton, it would at least provide Carolina with half a base against a solid front seven.