We are now deep into training camp, with preseason games in full swing and roster battles heating up. It's been a turbulent summer for the Carolina Panthers, but optimism remains high in the building around their chances of a successful NFC South title defense in 2026.
Head coach Dave Canales has set the correct tone. General manager Dan Morgan is constantly assessing the landscape, unafraid to make changes if he believes they are required. The injuries have been disappointing, but it's a next-man-up culture that everyone is embracing.
Some are stepping up, performing above expectations. Others are finding it tougher, and they are running out of time to change their narratives.
With this in mind, here are four Panthers players who unfortunately fall into this category.
Carolina Panthers players who are clearly falling behind at 2026 training camp
Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE
Just one year removed from breakout projections, Ja'Tavion Sanders is now facing an uncertain future. The Panthers saw enough from their tight ends to decide more is needed, and Morgan surprised everyone by bringing Darren Waller to the franchise.
Waller is a big body with the athleticism to make a difference if healthy. His arrival could also impact Sanders more than most, and it'll be interesting to see what the future holds now.
Sanders should make the team. That's not set in stone, but it would be a shock if he wasn't on the squad. Even so, with Waller, Tommy Tremble, and Mitchell Evans ahead of him in the pecking order, the former Texas star has a significant amount of hard work ahead.
Trevin Wallace, LB
This summer has not gone as Trevin Wallace hoped. Fans were expecting a major leap for the 2024 third-round selection, who had a major upgrade alongside him after the Panthers secured the services of second-team All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd in free agency.
Unfortunately, that hasn't come to fruition yet.
Wallace has struggled to generate any positive momentum. After giving up a touchdown in coverage during Carolina's preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals, Canales confirmed he was now in a competition for his job with Claudin Cherelus for the LB2 role. The gauntlet has been thrown down, and the former Kentucky star's response will be telling.
While his roster spot is not in any real jeopardy, his playing time is. Wallace needs to step up and raise his consistency, or the Panthers will find someone who can.
Chandler Zavala, OL
There might be a place for Chandler Zavala on the roster. The Panthers have already been without Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis for parts of the summer. The more useful depth Carolina has on the offensive line interior, the better, but this will probably be his last season with the team that drafted him.
Zavala was dealt a rough hand early. The 2023 fourth-round pick was thrown into the fire as a rookie and fluffed his lines. He's also dealt with injury issues, so the North Carolina State product has been climbing an uphill battle for years.
With Brady Christensen back in the fold and looking good, it would be surprising if Zavala made any sort of impact. But sticking around on the squad seems feasible for now.
John Metchie III, WR
The Panthers' wide receiver dynamic is fascinating. Having so many options is never a bad thing, but even with rookie third-round pick Chris Brazzell II out for the season with a torn LCL, not everyone will go through.
Good players will be released. And it could legitimately go either way for John Metchie III, despite his strong connection with quarterback Bryce Young from their time together at Alabama.
Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, and Xavier Legette are locks. David Moore is probably as well, with the likes of Brycen Tremayne and Jimmy Horn Jr. offering more special-teams value. There is also Ja'seem Reed, who's made countless big plays this summer to surge into roster contention.
All hope is not lost for Metchie, but he could potentially be the odd man out.
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