The Carolina Panthers are dealing with some problems in their cornerback unit. Chau Smith-Wade's surprise Week 2 healthy scratch against the Atlanta Falcons only rattled the cage further.
Smith-Wade was among those who were made surplus to requirements. The third-year cornerback had a strong summer, beating out Corey Thornton for a roster spot and growing in confidence. But after the Panthers' defense coughed up 59 points against the Chicago Bears, they needed scapegoats.
The coaching staff decided it could cope without Smith-Wade this weekend. And on closer examination, it does make some sense.
Carolina Panthers couldn't trust Chau Smith-Wade's lack of physicality against Bijan Robinson
Atlanta is starting Cooper Rush at quarterback again, with Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. both working their way back from injuries. In Week 1, he threw a lot of check-downs to prolific running back Bijan Robinson. Taking out Smith-Wade, one of Carolina's smallest physical presences, in favor of someone like rookie safety Zakee Wheatley adds a more imposing presence to limit Atlanta's best overall player.
It's a solid idea, in theory.
But this does raise the question of what the Panthers will do in the slot.
Two-time Pro Bowl corner Jaycee Horn is spending more time inside, with Will Lee III getting reps on the boundary. The rookie fourth-round pick was victimized by the Bears in Week 1, targeted as a weak link with great success. With Drake London and Kyle Pitts Sr. to worry about, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero has to get everything right schematically to avoid similar problems.
Those plans won't include Smith-Wade this week. Though disappointing for the Washington State product, it's far from the end of his story this season.
Carolina Panthers still need Chau Smith-Wade this season, just not in Week 2
Even if his participation could be decided on a game-by-game basis now.
Smith-Wade is firmly behind Horn, Lee, and Mike Jackson Sr. in the pecking order. His lack of size was a concern pre-draft, and the Panthers didn't want to leave anything to chance against Robinson.
That's the long and short of it, really.
But whether the Panthers have enough to counteract Robinson's supreme threat, one week after giving up 291 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground against Chicago, is another matter.
Going with Wheatley over Smith-Wade is a big call, of course. Just how much the Penn State product will see the field remains to be seen, given he was a healthy scratch last week. But he should be a little more forceful if he plays with confidence and the inevitable nerves don't get the better of him.
As for Smith-Wade? He'll be watching from the sidelines, but there is a good chance he will be back involved in Week 3 versus the Cleveland Browns to help against their promising young pass-catchers.
And if or when that moment arrives, Smith-Wade cannot put a foot wrong.
Otherwise, things could get ugly quickly for the defensive back.
Carolina Panthers inactives against the Falcons in Week 2
- TE Ja'Tavion Sanders
- QB Haynes King (emergency third)
- CB Chau Smith-Wade
- LB Tyrel Dodson
- OT Albert Reese
- OLB Pat Jones
- DT Bobby Brown III
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