4 Saints players the Carolina Panthers must contain in Week 3

Carolina Panthers must contain Michael Thomas

Once considered the best wide receiver in the league by many, it has been a rather quick fall into the territory of recency bias for the injury-plagued Michael Thomas.

After playing just seven games in 2020, Thomas missed the entire 2021 season due to an injured ankle that never quite healed the way that anyone expected. Much to the disappointment of any fan of the game no matter which team they call their own.

While the long-awaited return has not necessarily been as miraculous as many had hoped, Thomas is still a top-tier receiver when healthy and 11 catches for 122 yards and three touchdowns is nothing to sniff at over the opening fortnight of action.

Containing Thomas will be difficult and could escalate if Donte Jackson’s hamstring problem results in the veteran missing out or being compromised against the former Ohio State stud. So more than likely that matchup will be against C.J. Henderson, a promising addition that needs to live up to just that.

Henderson’s inexperience shows up at the worst of times. Thomas will be all too happy to exploit that.

The relative lack of depth behind the star receiver is the only saving grace for the Carolina Panthers. This could lead Jaycee Horn onto Thomas when needed and Xavier Woods can shadow that side of the field for further support on the backend.

Shutting down Jameis Winston’s first target may be just what this team needs to pull out the unlikeliest of upsets in Week 3. Something that could cool off Matt Rhule’s hot seat in the process.