The Carolina Panthers are without the stud cornerback tandem of Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson Sr. right now, and likely for several more weeks. However, they are finding ways to make it work in their absence.
But for third-year corner Chau Smith-Wade, the Panthers' impressive win over the Philadelphia Eagles let him know where he truly stands in the pecking order.
The Panthers are down to the bare bones. Fourth-round rookie Will Lee III is now CB1, and he is thriving with extra responsibilities on his shoulders. Carolina also kept faith with Akayleb Evans, who struggled against the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football but looked much improved at Lincoln Financial Field.
Chau Smith-Wade is quickly becoming an afterthought on Carolina Panthers defense
As for Smith-Wade? He played just two defensive snaps.
Given the lack of options at cornerback, this is a damning indictment of how the coaching staff views his performance so far.
Instead of relying on Smith-Wade in the nickel, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero went down a different route. He got creative with his pressure packages, often using safety Tre'von Moehrig closer to the line of scrimmage. The Panthers also trusted fifth-round rookie Zakee Wheatley, who came up big in key coverage moments.
This might have been a scheme plan rather than a sign of being too down on Smith-Wade. At the same time, he still has a long way to go and a lot of hard work ahead to cement his status as a long-term piece of the puzzle.
His lack of usage on the game-day defensive rotation is becoming an increasing occurrence.
Chau Smith-Wade has work ahead to win back Carolina Panthers' trust
Smith-Wade's snaps have plummeted to just 14 percent this season, compared to 63% during the 2025 campaign as Carolina's starting nickel option. The consistency was sketchy at best, and his lack of physicality often became a weak link.
The Panthers are losing trust. And even though they are missing Horn and Jackson, the Washington State product remains on the fringes.
This is no doubt disappointing for the player. But given how others are performing, Smith-Wade has no real complaints.
He worked exceptionally hard to earn a roster spot this summer. Smith-Wade successfully achieved this objective, but aside from making his presence felt on special teams, opportunities have been scarce within Evero's system.
Gaining two snaps in Philadelphia was the ultimate slap in the face.
Just where Smith-Wade goes from here is anyone's guess. The Panthers might keep him active on game days, but it's clear he's an emergency option and a special-teamer more than a productive starter these days. Not the growth he expected, but this is the situation he's in.
And given Carolina's defensive improvements amid its injury crisis, it's hard to argue with Evero's logic.
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