5 Panthers players unlikely to return in 2023 through Week 4
By Dean Jones
Rashard Higgins – Carolina Panthers WR
Acquiring wide receiver Rashard Higgins in free agency was seen as a nice bit of business by the Carolina Panthers. One that was enhanced by the decision to trade for his former Cleveland Browns teammate, Baker Mayfield.
Higgins stood out considerably in training camp to comfortably earn a spot on the 53-man roster. However, this hasn’t come with anything like the opportunities anticipated.
Nine snaps on offense, to be precise.
Considering how much Mayfield is struggling to find his rhythm within Ben McAdoo’s bland scheme, just why the Panthers haven’t installed a wideout he enjoyed success with previously is bizarre. Yet more personnel mismanagement from a coaching staff under severe pressure to get things right.
Higgins was part of an early turnover against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4, which won’t help his cause. If the same trend continues throughout the campaign, expect the Colorado State product to be let go despite severe questions facing others within the wide receiver room.
This was a low-risk, high-reward pickup this spring. Unfortunately, Higgins just hasn’t made the necessary impact to warrant a longer-term commitment as yet and it’s going to take a monumental turnaround to secure an extended stay.