5 Carolina Panthers on the hot seat entering Week 3 vs. Saints

Shi Smith – Carolina Panthers WR/KR

This might be a little harsh on Shi Smith. But the Carolina Panthers don’t have room for passengers and unless the wide receiver turns things around when targets arrive, then his depth chart standing could be in serious doubt.

Smith deserves an endless amount of credit for coming back from the brink to emerge as the team’s No. 3 receiving option behind D.J. Moore and Robbie Anderson. However, costly drops in key moments could force the coaching staff into changes with so much at stake for Carolina versus the New Orleans Saints.

The South Carolina product should be heavily involved once again. He could also assume kick return duties after Chuba Hubbard once again proved incapable of protecting the football when called upon.

However, the spotlight will be glaring and the Panthers have other options. One would expect to see Rashard Higgins and Terrace Marshall Jr. more in Week 3, with the presence of Raheem Blackshear piling additional pressure after he was snapped up off the Buffalo Bills practice squad.

Smith has to produce the goods in key situations. The former sixth-round pick has the talent, it’s remaining composed that appears to be the biggest issue.