It was another preseason defeat for the Carolina Panthers. The results are important at this stage, with head coach Dave Canales preserving the health of his established figures over getting them legitimate game-day reps - a contentious issue among the fans heading into such a critical campaign.
Canales has every right to keep his key performers fresh amid some injury issues across the depth chart. This choice gave those further down the pecking order and on the cusp of extended involvement another opportunity to showcase their potential. It wasn't perfect, but there were a few bright spots to take from the clash at Bank of America Stadium.
The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator remained noncommittal about the status of his starters in Carolina's warmup finale at the Buffalo Bills. Canales has a plan and won't care what's being said outside the organization. He'll also have a good indication of how the roster will look before general manager Dan Morgan gets active on the waiver wire.
With that being said, here are five winners and two losers from Carolina's preseason defeat against the New York Jets.
Winners and losers from Carolina Panthers' preseason defeat vs. Jets
Winner No. 1
Dillon Johnson - Carolina Panthers RB
Making noise in a crowded running back room is a difficult task. Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, and injured rookie Jonathon Brooks look like the top trio. Raheem Blackshear's exploits in the return game could see his spot secure when push comes to shove. Mike Boone's also caught the eye at times, so there's plenty for those in power to ponder.
Another backfield threat staked a strong claim in Preseason Week 2 versus the New York Jets. Dillon Johnson - an undrafted free agent out of Washington - got a hefty workload in the second half and thrived. His production was outstanding down the stretch, finishing off the final drive with a hard-fought touchdown after getting hit in the backfield.
The only touchdown of the game comes at the buzzer!
— NFL (@NFL) August 18, 2024
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Johnson finished the day with 83 rushing yards and a score from 18 carries. It might not be enough to make the squad. At the same time, performances like this won't go unnoticed by others around the league looking for improved running back depth.
If nothing else emerges, Johnson looks like a shoo-in for the practice squad.
Winner No. 2
Ja'Tavion Sanders - Carolina Panthers TE
With Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas both sidelined - although the former is back at practice and could have gone in the regular season - it was a chance for the Carolina Panthers to see how rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders is progressing. The No. 101 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft is projected to be an instant asset in the passing game if utilized correctly. He won't be a workhorse, but there's a lot to like about his overall athleticism.
Sanders caught the eye with a couple of impressive catches in Preseason Week 2 versus the New York Jets. Dave Canales schemed him up effectively and the Texas product took full advantage, bringing in both of his targets for 22 receiving yards.
It's a small sample size, of course. However, it's another example of the different dynamic Sanders could potentially bring to the Panthers with additional refinement. The coaching staff will continue to take a gradual approach, even if Thomas takes longer to recover from his issue than anticipated.
Just why Sanders dropped out of the first three rounds of the draft is anyone's guess. Looking at his contribution and progress to date, the Panthers are going to benefit greatly.
Winner No. 3
Jammie Robinson - Carolina Panthers DB
Jammie Robinson found himself on the roster bubble after just one season with the Panthers. Competition is high in the safety room with several contenders for depth chart spots behind the projected starting duo of Xavier Woods and Jordan Fuller. However, with the former set for a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring issue, opportunity knocks for others.
Robinson did his chances of involvement no harm at all with a physically imposing performance against the Jets. The 2023 fifth-round selection out of Florida State played every down like it was his last, getting to the contact point quickly and making several splash tackles that caught the attention of Dave Canales.
This was a huge positive for Robinson, who is fighting for his future with a regime that has no emotional attachment to their decision-making process. Keeping this up is the next challenge, especially with so many others also impressive throughout the preparation period so far.
Hopefully, this is the spark that ignites Robinson to better fortunes moving forward. His status remains precarious, so nothing but the same effort will do.
Loser No. 1
Lamar Jackson - Carolina Panthers CB
Lamar Jackson's been a revelation over the last week or so. The Carolina Panthers need someone in their cornerback room to make an impression with Dane Jackson set to miss around six weeks with a hamstring complication. Many thought this was the guy based on how he's performed over practices and his first test of preseason involvement this summer at the New England Patriots.
Things regressed for Jackson during Carolina's second warmup fixture against the New York Jets. The former Cincinnati star was pancaked on a running play and also got burned by a double move to further raise concern.
It's not the end of the world for Jackson, especially given the distinct lack of depth in Carolina's cornerback unit. However, it's a sign of how much hard work is ahead for the player if he wants to come up against elite-level pass-catchers in the regular season.
Jackson is a determined character who'll be looking to bounce back quickly. A monumental effort is needed to cement his status on the 53-man roster when Week 1 at the New Orleans Saints rolls around.
Winner No. 4
T.J. Smith - Carolina Panthers DL
There aren't many on the Panthers roster who've done more to enhance their aspirations than T.J. Smith. The formidable defensive lineman slotted into Ejiro Evero's creative 3-4 base scheme seamlessly. He's grasping an advantage through outstanding work ethic and exceptional playmaking prowess - something that was on full display once again in Preseason Week 2.
Smith disrupted the line of scrimmage with eye-catching frequency. The former Arkansas star pushed the pile and looked capable of wreaking havoc on any given down. He also managed to come up with a sack, which was a just reward for another accomplished performance.
One could make a strong case for Smith being the primary backup defensive lineman behind Shy Tuttle, A'Shawn Robinson, and Pro Bowl stud Derrick Brown. That's the biggest compliment one could pay to the player, who came into the organization this offseason on the back of three underwhelming years with the Minnesota Vikings.
Being part of Evero's scheme seems to have lit a fire under Smith. His place on the roster appears locked. If the same trend continues, expect to see the player on the field a lot in 2024.
Loser No. 2
Luiji Vilain - Carolina Panthers OLB
We are in the fine-margin stage of the preparation period. Every play counts and mistakes can be disastrous for those looking to forge successful NFL careers. If general manager Dan Morgan isn't entirely convinced in one player or another, they'll be shown the door. There is no room for passengers after a two-win campaign that descended into embarrassment.
Luiji Vilain has flashed promise this offseason. This has been in training camp practice rather than preseason games. He looked a little sluggish in pursuit against the New York Jets, which isn't what the Carolina Panthers or the player had in mind with final cuts on the immediate horizon.
Carolina isn't blessed with the best-looking edge-rushing depth. Others are ahead of Vilain as it stands. Whether he's got enough time to turn things around remains to be seen, but it's not looking too promising right now.
The Panthers will give Vilain another week to see if he can shift this narrative. However, there is enough game-day film on the Episcopal High School product to suggest he isn't up to the required standard.
Winner No. 5
Trevin Wallace - Carolina Panthers LB
After taking a little time to find his feet, Trevin Wallace is starting to get it. The rookie linebacker was a controversial selection at No. 72 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. His performances over the last fortnight are starting to win around even his harshest critics.
Wallace wasted no time in making his presence felt in Preseason Week 2 against the Jets. The second-level presence was explosive, identified plays developing quickly, and reacted accordingly. The former Kentucky star made his tackles count and looked like a standout among second and third-stringers.
It seems as if the Panthers might have something with Wallace. Dan Morgan knows what to look for in a linebacker - he was a dominant one himself. Looking at the way he's gone about his business, it would be a surprise if defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero didn't get the first-year pro involved right out of the gate.
Tempering expectations initially with Wallace would be wise. That said, one cannot be anything other than encouraged by his surge in consistency after an expected transition period earlier this summer.