The Carolina Panthers still have some roster decisions to figure out. Training camp is getting chippy and harder to evaluate as practices become more tedious. Fortunately for head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan, the preseason slate is now in full swing.
Carolina had the benefit of an extra game this year. But this time around, Canales wants to get some early work in for his established players before those a little lower on the depth chart take center stage for most of the contest.
Time is running out to impress. And for these five Panthers players, their roster futures could take a seismic shift against the Buffalo Bills.
Carolina Panthers players whose futures could shift in preseason test against the Bills
A.J. Dillon, RB
With Chuba Hubbard now dealing with a hamstring injury and listed as week-to-week, Jonathon Brooks will start at running back against the Bills. He is not expected to get much work, so there should be more chances for A.J. Dillon to stake a claim.
Dillon caught the eye during the Pro Football Hall of Fame game against the Arizona Cardinals. He was sharp with good physicality and contact balance. Another strong outing at Highmark Stadium would start to change his conversation.
Claudin Cherelus, LB
The Panthers are running a genuine competition for the LB2 spot next to free-agent signing Devin Lloyd. While most of the hype has centered on Trevin Wallace's raised stakes, it's also worth remembering what a fantastic opportunity this is for Claudin Cherelus.
Cherelus is an imposing figure who became a key special-teams presence for Carolina last season. The coaching staff clearly believes he is capable of more, and even though Wallace is the tentative frontrunner, a strong preseason outing against the Bills could quickly turn the tide.
Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE
The Panthers strengthened their tight end options with the signing of Darren Waller. Just why Morgan waited so long is anyone's guess, but this move demands a positive reaction from third-year pro Ja'Tavion Sanders.
Sanders could be pushed into irrelevancy if Waller hits the ground running. This is a far cry from the breakout projected attached to the 2024 fourth-round pick this time last year, and anything less than showing out when targets come his way may have grave consequences attached.
Demani Richardson, S
The top four safeties are locked in. Tre'von Moehrig, Nick Scott, Lathan Ransom, and Zakee Wheatley are all going to make the team. That could potentially leave one spot for the rest, meaning there is no margin for error with Demani Richardson.
After being cut before coming back onto the practice squad last year, Richardson is displaying more urgency this time around. This is a positive, but the defensive back must continue to flash in the preseason to improve his chances.
Brycen Tremayne, WR
The numbers game in Carolina's wide receiver room will leave someone out of luck. There are only so many spots to go around, so those lower down the food chain need to make every preseason rep count in pursuit of sticking around.
Brycen Tremayne is among them. The wideout has speed to stretch the field and made an impact on special teams last season. His hopes are still hanging by a thread, but the former Stanford playmaker is well-versed in making things happen in warm-up contests.
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