It's almost decision time for the Carolina Panthers. Final cuts are coming, and there are tricky problems for general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales to solve after an eventful offseason.
The Panthers look in pretty good shape. They have lost some influential figures due to injury, but they still have enough to be competitive this season.
Just how the roster will look hasn't been determined yet. However, some nice surprises have surfaced over the summer, prompting strong discussions in the building and among fans.
Not everyone is going to make it. Some will be able to return to the practice squad, but that means an anxious wait to see if another team scoops them up off the waiver wire.
That only adds to the precarious nature of this process. And with that in mind, here are four rising players that the Panthers cannot risk sneaking onto their practice squad in the coming days.
Rising players the Carolina Panthers cannot risk sneaking onto their 2026 practice squad
Ja'seem Reed, WR
The Panthers have some questions to answer around their wide receiver. There is a surplus of decent options, and only so many places up for grabs. But after a standout summer, Ja'seem Reed forced his way into the discussion.
Reed has been a revelation this summer. He's maximized every opportunity, and even though an injury threatened to dent his momentum, the Panthers don't seem overly concerned by his long-term outlook.
Nothing is set in stone, of course. But if the Panthers take their chances on the waiver wire with Reed, they are asking for trouble.
Haynes King, QB
Undrafted rookie quarterback Haynes King played in only one warm-up game. However, the Georgia Tech product couldn't have been more impressive.
King was sensational against the Arizona Cardinals in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game. His poise, command of the offense, and ability to go through his progressions caught the eye throughout. There was real conviction in his overall approach, and the mobility was as advertised.
The signal-caller hasn't been seen since sustaining a hamstring injury. King could go to the physically unable to perform list, but waiving him to bring him back seems like too big of a risk right now.
A.J. Dillon, RB
The Panthers have their 1-2 punch at running back in Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks. Trevor Etienne should make the team as a backup and kick returner. A.J. Dillon would be next in line, and his performances over the summer more than justify being included.
Much will depend on how many running backs the Panthers want on their roster. But with Hubbard and Brooks both suffering injury problems in recent years, having another dependable contingency plan seems like the safest course of action.
Besides, Dillon might not be on the waiver wire for long after showing some real signs of life in the preseason.
Aaron Hall, DL
The Panthers needed someone to step up on their defensive line interior this offseason. Tershawn Wharton is still working his way back from neck surgery, and LaBryan Ray has opted to retire for personal reasons. Depth was a little thin on the ground, but undrafted rookie Aaron Hall did more than enough to be strongly considered for a 53-man roster spot.
Hall operates as a 3-4 defensive end in Ejiro Evero's system, and he's displayed enough power and violent hands to secure a key role on the rotation. If the Panthers are thinking about placing him on the practice squad, they shouldn't.
This has the makings of yet another undrafted gem unearthed by Morgan. Taking him through onto the roster should be the play.
Add us as a preferred source on Google