Which Carolina Panthers news stories are hitting the headlines as the team makes a landmark change to kick-off their bye week?
It didn't take long for the Carolina Panthers to begin making immediate adjustments during their long-awaited bye week. This comes as no surprise to those who've watched the team closely through six games, which have all been losses and with little to inspire an increasingly frustrated fanbase.
This might be a sign of things to come - only time will tell on that front. Until then, the stories causing conversation include Frank Reich passing the torch, Bryce Young on offensive changes, Laviska Shenault Jr.'s status, and Jaycee Horn's progress.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Carolina Panthers RB/WR Laviska Shenault Jr.'s status
There were yet more concerns on the injury front in Week 6 when versatile offensive weapon Laviska Shenault Jr. had to leave the game. Initially, the prognosis didn't look great as it was described as a fibula injury, but Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network revealed that the former second-round selection suffered a high ankle sprain.
"Panthers WR Laviska Shenault suffered what's believed to be a high ankle sprain in today's loss to Miami, per source. X-rays were negative. He was spotted leaving the locker room on crutches with a walking boot. Carolina has a bye next week."Tom Pelissero via X/Twitter
This was a best-case scenario considering how bleak things looked when Shenault departed the field. The Carolina Panthers will now let the Colorado product rest up throughout the bye and see how things look once he returns to the facility in the not-too-distant future.
Carolina Panthers HC Frank Reich passes the torch
After some soul-searching and serious reflection, Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich determined that something had to change. And how he leads this group of men had to alter along the way.
That involved a right and expected transition. Reich has now officially passed over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, which fans had been calling for given his blossoming reputation and the fact he hails from the Sean McVay coaching tree.
When discussing the move, Reich stated via Carolina's website that this was always the plan regardless of the team's record. And the figurehead is confident Brown can thrive with his newfound responsibilities.
"It's always been part of the plan. Something Thomas and I have discussed from the time that he was hired. I'm excited for this, for Thomas. I'm excited for our team and our offense; Thomas is a stud. He's a great leader. He's a brilliant offensive mind. I think what was different about this situation and why I didn't do it right from the start, maybe was because I didn't know Thomas before this year. And so it was going to be a question of us kind of working together, getting into the season, and obviously because his aptitude is so high and how fast he is as a thinker and on his feet. I knew it was not a question of if, just when. The play-calling thing is still going to be collaborative. Thomas is going to lead it. He's in charge of it; he'll make the call."Frank Reich via Panthers.com
This is hopefully going to make Carolina's offense a more fluid, creative operation consistently. It'll also enable Reich to be a better head coach rather than having to worry about the offensive side of things.
Doing this at the bye was the right time. It gives Brown an extra few days to implement his ethos and get his players on the same page, which could lead to immediate growth if everyone buys in.
Carolina Panthers CB Jaycee Horn's progress
It came as no surprise to see the Carolina Panthers secondary get torched by the Miami Dolphins in Week 6. This unit is still missing its primary shutdown cornerback presence and others simply weren't good enough to counteract the supreme threat posed by weapons such as Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle en route to a heavy loss.
Whether Jaycee Horn would have turned the tide in Carolina's favor is highly debatable. But make no mistake, the Panthers need the former first-round pick's hamstring injury to heal quickly if they are to stand any chance of salvaging something from the campaign.
When discussing Horn's rehabilitation, head coach Frank Reich revealed via USA Today Sports that the South Carolina product is due for a doctor's visit this week. After that, it should become clearer about the corner's timeline regarding a return.
"Jaycee—I know we have an appointment, he has a check-up here with the doctor coming up this week. That will be the next step to making a determination. It’s coming this week, in a couple days. So he’ll meet with the doc and we’ll kinda get the next step there."Frank Reich via USA Today Sports
Hopefully, there will be some good news and Horn can get back onto the practice field sooner rather than later. Especially considering how others aside from perhaps C.J. Henderson are struggling in coverage.
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young's excitement
Amid all the turmoil surrounding the Carolina Panthers following their 0-6 start, the progression of rookie quarterback Bryce Young remains a shining light. Things aren't perfect by any means, but the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft is displaying the sort of development week to week that should fill fans with encouragement about what's to come moving forward once better weapons are acquired.
That might have to wait until 2024 unless the Panthers decide to go bold despite their current predicament. Until then, the onus is now firmly on offensive coordinator Thomas Brown to mold the scheme around Young's strengths rather than fitting him into outdated concepts.
When discussing the change in play-caller, Young stated via Carolina's website this is something coaches and players have already been working towards. And it's clear the former Alabama star is relishing the prospect of working with such a bright, progressive mind.
"We were always working toward that. He made that known far before the season started. We didn't necessarily have a timeline, but we always knew that this was coming. I'm super excited. I'm excited for the future."Bryce Young via Panthers.com
There hasn't been much to excite Panthers fans through six weeks. Hopefully, that's about to change, and Carolina does have some winnable games upcoming once they return from their extended rest period.