Which Carolina Panthers find themselves firmly on the hot seat sitting at 0-4 ahead of their trip to the Detroit Lions in Week 5?
The last thing that the Carolina Panthers probably need at this stage of the campaign with no wins to show from their efforts to date is a trip to a team poised to make a giant leap into legitimate playoff contention. However, it's not like Frank Reich's men have anything to lose going into the game as heavy underdogs, so throwing caution to the wind might represent the best course of action versus the Detroit Lions.
Of course, a fifth-straight loss ahead of another road game before the bye - at the Miami Dolphins, no less - won't be well received by a fanbase that's becoming increasingly disillusioned. Something nobody expected this early after getting sold dreams of postseason football and a potential NFC South title before a competitive down was played.
The Panthers are putting out the message that they can still salvage something from the current campaign. Whether they trade for another wide receiver or not, going into the bye at 0-6 is a distinct possibility - one that could lead to huge changes in approach and some substantial soul-searching at the very least.
But for some, the pressure couldn't be greater. With this in mind, here are four Panthers who find themselves on the hot seat entering Week 5 at the Lions.
Ian Thomas - Carolina Panthers TE
This ship might have already sailed, in all honesty. But after another game of suspect blocking and dropping a touchdown pass, Ian Thomas' time with the Carolina Panthers could be hanging by a thread.
It was clear from some way out that any slim hopes the Panthers had for Thomas to become the heir to Greg Olsen's throne were never going to bear fruit. Now, any prospects of the player becoming their long-term blocking specialist from the tight-end position are also falling by the wayside.
Any more failings from Thomas could see him fall further down the pecking order. Especially considering Stephen Sullivan is back at practice and looking to make an impact.
Miles Sanders - Carolina Panthers RB
Much will depend on how healthy Miles Sanders is and whether or not he suits up in Week 5 with a groin issue. But if he's healthy enough to participate, the running back should be expected to produce.
Sanders' early time with the Carolina Panthers hasn't gone according to plan, His latest effort - 19 rushing yards from 13 carries against the Minnesota Vikings - was a complete dud in every aspect. However, some blame also goes on the bland scheme and the offensive line's inability to generate the push needed.
The former second-round selection didn't do himself any favors by criticizing Carolina's fans for booing their team in Week 4. That was ill-advised and a battle Sanders is never going to win, especially given the way he's performed following his big-money move from the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency.
It'll be tough for the Panthers to get the run game going at the Detroit Lions, who boast the league's stingiest run defense, giving up 60.8 yards per game on average. Unless Sanders is at the top of his game, it's hard to envisage a scenario where he thrives against such a formidable front seven.
Carolina sitting Sanders to allow his groin some prolonged healing time cannot be dismissed depending on how the Penn State product comes through practice. If that scenario comes to fruition, Chuba Hubbard looks like a more than able deputy based on how improvements since Matt Rhule was fired.
Shy Tuttle - Carolina Panthers DL
The Carolina Panthers run defense has not been up to scratch through four weeks. There are some aspects of Ejiro Evero's unit that look highly encouraging - especially considering the injury problems at all three levels - but something is amiss when it comes to preventing yards on the ground.
This all starts upfront. The Panthers were counting on Shy Tuttle to provide the anchor at nose tackle within Evero's 3-4 base scheme, but the veteran free-agent signing is struggling to find his feet and come up with the consistency needed.
In fairness to Tuttle, he's probably best suited to a 3-4 defensive end rather than clogging up the interior. However, the Panthers released Marquan McCall shortly before final cuts and didn't replace him with a genuine like-for-like, which left Evero with no option other than to work with the hand he's been dealt.
How much longer Carolina persists with Tuttle at the nose is likely dependent on how he gets on over the next fortnight. If performance levels don't improve, those in power might utilize the bye week to potentially acquire another option to fortify the defensive trenches.
That sounds a little harsh on Tuttle, who could be playing out of position for the good of the team. But giving up 136.3 rushing yards per game is simply not going to cut it.
D.J. Chark - Carolina Panthers WR
We are only three games into D.J. Chark's career with the Carolina Panthers, but fans have every right to expect more from the wide receiver. He's flashed moments of genuine quality - primarily in Week 2 at the Seattle Seahawks - but the player's two games at Bank of America Stadium left a lot to be desired within an offensive scheme that lacks any real invention to keep opposing defenses on their toes.
With rumors running wild about the Panthers potentially going in for another wideout to further assist Bryce Young before the deadline, Chark might be nervously looking over his shoulder. He's a great teammate and has the skills to offer something different if the schematic concepts allow, but unless Frank Reich starts gambling a little more downfield, the Pro Bowler's production will suffer.
This is extremely disappointing when one considers the chemistry Chark and Young developed throughout the offseason. Until reinforcements arrive, Reich would be wise to get this connection going early and often at the Detroit Lions.
Chark will have some added motivation in this one. The former second-round selection spent the 2022 campaign with Detroit - gaining 30 receptions for 502 receiving yards and three touchdowns before both parties went their separate ways - something that should guarantee he'll be after revenge by any means necessary.
Now is the time for Chark to deliver. Anything less could come with grave consequences attached considering how other pass-catchers aside from Adam Thielen are also struggling.