Which Carolina Panthers news stories are hitting the headlines as attention quickly turns to their Week 9 game against the Indianapolis Colts?
With the trade deadline coming with no movement from the Carolina Panthers, the focus immediately shifts toward what looks to be another winnable home game versus the Indianapolis Colts. This won't see another battle between rookie quarterbacks with Anthony Richardson out for the season with a shoulder complication, but there is some added incentive to pick up a second triumph of the campaign.
Until then, the stories causing conversation include Frank Reich's mindset, Bryce Young shouldering the blame, Frankie Luvu's well-deserved recognition, and Hayden Hurst's prestigious nomination.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Carolina Panthers LB Frankie Luvu's award
It was a performance for the ages from Frankie Luvu in Week 8 against the Houston Texans. With his mother in attendance for her first NFL game, the prolific linebacker looked like the great Carolina Panthers' second-level defenders of old to play a significant role in their first victory of the 2023 campaign at the seventh time of asking.
Luvu was nothing short of sensational and only lent further support to the claims that he should get a long-term extension. The former Washington State standout got another huge feather in his cap by winning the NFC's Defensive Player of the Week Award in recognition of his exceptional contribution.
Frankie cuttin' up‼️ pic.twitter.com/IU268pJSkU
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 1, 2023
Hopefully, Luvu can remain an inspiration on and off the field. Not only over Carolina's remaining 10 games but for the foreseeable future.
Carolina Panthers TE Hayden Hurst's nomination
Another Carolina Panthers player got some good news on Wednesday after a prestigious nomination. Hayden Hurst was the team's nominee for this year's Salute to Service Award presented by USAA.
This is an annual collaboration between the USAA and NFL and honors a player, coach, or league member who demonstrates outstanding commitment to supporting the essential military community across the country and beyond. According to a press release, the USAA holds the designation of Official NFL Salute to Service Partner.
Hurst is now hoping to be named as a finalist for the award, which will be announced in the New Year. As always, the worthy recipient will be named at the NFL Honors Awards show during Super Bowl week.
Past recipients of the award include Ron Rivera (2023), Andrew Beck (2022), Steve Cannon (2021), Dan Quinn (2020), Donnie Edwards (2019), Ben Garland (2018), Andre Roberts (2017), Dan Quinn (2016), Vincent Jackson (2015), Jared Allen (2014), John Harbaugh (2013), Charles Tillman (2012), and the late Tennessee Titans owner, K.S. “Bud” Adams, a WWII veteran (2011).
Panthers fans can help in Hurst's quest to become a finalist and perhaps even come away with the prestigious distinction. There is an opportunity this year to vote for their favorite nominee from now until November 30. One vote per day, per fan is permitted.
Anyone wishing to vote can do so here. Congratulations, Hayden!
Carolina Panthers HC Frank Reich's mindset
One could forgive Frank Reich for wanting this weekend's game more than most. The Carolina Panthers get set to welcome the Indianapolis Colts to Bank of America Stadium, which pits the head coach against the team that fired him during the 2022 campaign.
Reich's start has been an indifferent one in Carolina. His play-calling came in for criticism before the bye week, but the figurehead handed off duties to Thomas Brown in Week 8 - a move that seemed to improve schematics and also allow the head coach to manage other areas with more effectiveness.
When discussing the revenge aspect of Sunday's game, Reich is treating it like any other based on comments via the team's website. And despite how things ended, the experienced figure still has fond memories of his time in Indianapolis.
"You know, there's always a disappointment about moving on, just like anybody who moves on in a job, but a lot of great relationships. But for me, this is very common in this league. I've been in this league for 30 years. Players and coaches, you move on. You have a new family, you love the people you just left, you respect them, you move on, and you're focused on the next chapter in your life and your career. And so that's the position we're at."Frank Reich via Panthers.com
That might be the party line publicly, but Panthers players should be approaching this contest with the same mindset as last weekend when Bryce Young wanted to get one over on C.J. Stroud. So in many ways, Week 9 will be a measuring stick about how much this roster is fighting for Reich.
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young shouldering blame
It was another hugely impressive outing from quarterback Bryce Young in Week 8 against the Houston Texans. If there was one criticism, it's the number of sacks the Carolina Panthers are conceding.
The offensive line has regressed considerably this season. Missing Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen hasn't helped, but fans were expecting more from a unit that made substantial strides under James Campen's guidance in 2022.
When discussing the protection issues, Young shouldered a lot of the blame based on comments via USA Today Sports. That's what all great leaders do, but it doesn't detract from the severe need to improve consistency over the next 10 games.
"It’s always one of those stats that don’t always tell the whole truth. Whenever you see however many sacks, you automatically think of: What is the line doing or not doing? Some of those sacks are on me. I could do a better job of gettin’ the ball out, movin’ throughout the pocket. Some of them are coverage sacks. And, again, that’s just me makin’ sure I can do a better job of getting through reads, getting through progressions, checking the ball down when necessary—whatever it may be—gettin’ the ball out of my hands, avoidin’ that. But sometimes, just need to throw the ball away and do a better job of that."Bryce Young via USA Today Sports
Corbett is now back in the lineup, which is a massive boost. But Ikem Ekwonu's struggles coupled with no stable presence at the left guard position mean the jury is still out as to whether or not Carolina's offensive line can make the adjustments needed to help their rookie signal-caller.