5 Panthers that improved their roster chances in 2022 preseason finale

John Lovett – Carolina Panthers RB

A player who has taken the chance of limited opportunities in the preseason is John Lovett. The rookie running back was signed as an undrafted free agent after spending his senior season at Penn State, starting the preparation period toward the bottom of the depth chart.

However, Lovett benefited from some injuries and took advantage of his chance when it eventually arrived.

Lovett finished the final preseason game with 35 rushing yards on 14 carries along with four receptions for 36 receiving yards. It was a polar opposite performance between two running backs, which didn’t impact the overall outcome at Bank of America Stadium.

With Lovett impressing, Chuba Hubbard saw his stock fall after a disappointing showing. The 2021 fourth-round pick was once again plagued with drops in the passing game, which we saw a lot of from the former Oklahoma State man during his rookie season.

Now it’s unlikely Lovett makes the final 53-man roster unless the Carolina Panthers spring a surprise and cut either D’Onta Foreman or Hubbard. But his performances in the preseason mean that Lovett has a chance to be picked up on the waiver wire elsewhere – or if he clears waivers, the Panthers will be keen to bring him back on the practice squad.