Carolina Panthers could have some key men back
Fear not, help is on the way.
The Carolina Panthers will hopefully be getting some influential figures back into the lineup in Week 8, which comes at just the right time for a team heading completely in the wrong direction.
Shaq Thompson’s return to the practice field is a big positive. The outside linebacker has been sorely missed following a phenomenal start to the campaign and if he’s declared fit, then his presence at the second level should give the Panthers a massive lift.
Another player that’s firmly on the road to recovery is Juston Burris, who could resume his productive partnership with fellow safety Jeremy Chinn on the backend if he comes through practice in a satisfactory fashion this week.
That’s not discounting the potential debut of All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who also appears on track to be activated from the physically unable to perform list following his trade from the New England Patriots.
This will help the defense, of course.
But that’s not where the Panthers are having problems.
Either way, it should make Carolina’s defense a force to be reckoned with against a formidable Atlanta Falcons offense who’ve not really missed a beat since trading Julio Jones to the Tennessee Titans.