The Carolina Panthers are struggling at cornerback. They are still without the stud tandem of Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson Sr., and Akayleb Evans is also on for Thursday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers with his own injury.
They are down to the bare bones.
And yet, the Panthers remain reluctant to bring Corey Thornton back into the mix.
Corey Thornton faces a long road back with Carolina Panthers after latest snub
The Panthers are reportedly calling up Marco Wilson from the practice squad at Lambeau Field. He's got more experience than Thornton, but he hasn't played much football over the last three years, and his performances haven't been consistent enough to warrant much faith.
Carolina's coaching staff believes he can assist more than Thornton, which is a brutal reality check for a player who had so much promise as a rookie.
Thornton burst onto the scene as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville. His size, length, and athleticism immediately caught the eye. The defensive back comfortably made the 53-man roster and eventually surged into the starting nickel role before injury ended his momentum.
It looked as if Thornton might be able to pick up where he left off during the offseason. He was highly impressive over Carolina's early workout program, receiving praise from head coach Dave Canales. Things tailed off at training camp, and a subpar preseason saw others preferred during final cuts.
The Panthers brought him back onto the practice squad. But amid a legitimate injury crisis at corner, Thornton is still waiting for his opportunity.
Most fans thought this would be the week Thornton got involved. They were mistaken.
Corey Thornton could be a Carolina Panthers starter, but injury crushed his hopes
And if the player was looking for a sign of where he truly stands in the pecking order, this is it.
Perhaps the Panthers are giving Thornton more time. Broken fibulas can be difficult, and it's clear something was amiss with the third-year pro as things intensified in the summer. Wilson isn't exactly a sure thing either, but the coaching staff clearly sees him as the safest bet versus Green Bay's high-octane passing attack.
That's fair, but it's a damning indictment of how Thornton's progress is being perceived behind the scenes.
If Thornton can't get a look with the Panthers so thin at cornerback, it doesn't bode well for his chances of getting another go-around next year.
And the most disappointing part? Thornton could genuinely be a viable starter right now if not for his serious injury, which completely changed his outlook.
That's just the way it goes in the NFL sometimes. But it's nonetheless disappointing.
Thornton must focus on what he can control. He can't dictate when he plays again. What matters is rebuilding confidence, improving his skills, and being ready for his chance when (or if) it comes again.
We saw how Thornton could be when firing on all cylinders in 2024.
Will Thornton reach those heights again? Time will tell, but after this latest setback, it doesn't look especially promising.
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