The Carolina Panthers are back in preseason action, this time on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Of course, this was the site of team owner David Tepper's infamous drink-throwing incident with a fan that landed him a $500,000 fine. But thankfully, a lot has changed since then.
Carolina won the NFC South last season. Jacksonville won the AFC South. These two perennial strugglers are now finding their feet, so it should be an interesting evening on the back of a highly competitive joint practice between the two clubs this week.
The Panthers started slowly before picking things up as the session went on. Head coach Dave Canales wanted a response, and he got one. And with the starters once again getting some useful reps, a stronger showing is needed after last weekend's debacle versus the Buffalo Bills.
And with just a short time left until final cuts, the stakes are high.
With this in mind, here are four Panthers players who could gain a significant amount from Carolina's warm-up game at Everbank Stadium.
Carolina Panthers players who can flip their roster hopes upside down against the Jaguars
Jake Curhan, OL
The Panthers have a big problem with their interior offensive line depth. Carolina's options behind the starting duo of Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis have struggled this summer. Chandler Zavala looks like a lost cause, so there could be an opening for someone else to step up and force a difficult conversation.
Jake Curhan has obvious limitations, but one could argue he is far more dependable than Zavala. Once the starters come out, he'll get another big audition. And a strong showing could make a massive difference before some important decisions are due.
Jared Harrison-Hunte, DL
The same goes on the defensive front. Cam Jackson is in concussion protocol and won't be risked versus Jacksonville. With Tershawn Wharton still working his way back from neck surgery and LaBryan Ray opting for retirement, those lower down the pecking order will get their chance to stake a claim.
Jared Harrison-Hunte should get plenty of work. He's got some useful athletic traits, but finding the consistency can sometimes prove complicated. But if he can somehow put everything together, it'll give him a boost heading into the last week before final cuts.
Jimmy Horn Jr., WR
Carolina's wide receiver room is now in crunch time. One or two spots are available now, but that's about it. And even though Jimmy Horn Jr. has raised his consistency throughout the summer, he cannot take his foot off the throttle.
Horn is improving as a route runner. His ball tracking and pass-catching concentration are also making strides, and the Panthers are giving him a chance to enhance his roster hopes on special teams.
However, with John Metchie III having that intriguing previous connection to quarterback Bryce Young, the Colorado product's roster spot is not set in stone yet.
Isaiah Simmons, LB
The Panthers gave linebacker Isaiah Simmons another one-year deal this offseason. This provided the 2020 first-round pick out of Clemson with some much-needed stability, but his roster status still hangs by a thread.
Simmons has done well this summer, especially in establishing himself as a part of Carolina's special teams plans. That is essential for anywhere near the roster bubble, and it's his route back onto the team.
A few flashes against the Jaguars are only going to help his cause. Simmons might never be able to rid himself of the draft bust label, but he can still carve out a niche for himself.
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