10 quick thoughts from the Carolina Panthers loss vs. 49ers in Week 5

(Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports) Christian McCaffrey
(Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports) Christian McCaffrey /
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(Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports) Juston Burris /

Carolina Panthers missed starting safeties

Jeremy Chinn going on the reserve/injured list was a blow this week. So for the Carolina Panthers to have Xavier Woods unavailable meant they were without their impressive starting safety tandem.

This did not go unnoticed by the San Francisco 49ers, who targeted Justin Burris and Myles Hartsfield heavily throughout with great success. Hopefully, Woods can get back next weekend for their daunting trip to the Los Angeles Rams.

Carolina Panthers must get Raheem Blackshear involved

With Laviska Shenault Jr. sitting out the contest thanks to a hamstring problem, it was a chance for the Panthers to finally get Raheem Blackshear involved. Judging by his impressive burst on kick return duties, it might be worth Ben McAdoo installing some plays for the do-it-all running back moving forward.

Carolina saw enough in Blackshear to snap him up off the Buffalo Bills practice squad. So they might as well use him while they have the chance considering how lackluster the offense has been overall.

Damien Wilson’s best game for the Carolina Panthers

It was hard to pick out the bright spots from yet another demoralizing defeat. But the performance of middle linebacker Damien Wilson was encouraging.

Wilson’s endured an indifferent start to life in Carolina before Week 5. However, this was more like it and hopefully, it’s something he can build on moving forward.