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USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Anthony Rizzuti

Final 53-man roster prediction for Panthers

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With the final roster cutdown set to happen on Tuesday, let’s take one more crack at predicting the Carolina Panthers’ initial 2022 53-man roster.

Quarterbacks (3)

AP Photo/Rusty Jones
  • Baker Mayfield
  • Sam Darnold
  • PJ Walker

The Panthers might’ve been coming into Week 1 with just Mayfield and Darnold. But after Darnold’s high-ankle sprain, an injury that could keep him out for over a month, they’ll have to bring along Walker as the temporary backup.

Running backs (3)

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
  • Christian McCaffrey
  • Chuba Hubbard
  • D’Onta Foreman

Spencer Brown made an interesting run at this group, but it’ll be the expected trio that make up this backfield.

Wide receivers (7)

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  • DJ Moore
  • Robbie Anderson
  • Terrace Marshall Jr.
  • Rashard Higgins
  • Shi Smith
  • Brandon Zylstra
  • Andre Roberts

Smith not only likely made room for himself on the roster, but in the offense’s plans as well. The second-year wideout flashed his big-play ability this summer and should earn some real reps during the regular season as a result.

Tight ends (3)

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
  • Tommy Tremble
  • Ian Thomas
  • Giovanni Ricci

According to head coach Matt Rhule, Ricci’s groin injury from Friday isn’t as severe as the injuries sustained by Darnold and kicker Zane Gonzalez. So as long as he isn’t set to miss an extended period of time, his versatility boxes out Stephen Sullivan for the third spot here.

Offensive linemen (9)

AP Photo/Chris Carlson
  • Ikem Ekwonu
  • Brady Christensen
  • Pat Elflein
  • Austin Corbett
  • Taylor Moton
  • Bradley Bozeman
  • Cameron Erving
  • Michael Jordan
  • Cade Mays

Like Ricci, Mays could benefit from his versatility. The 2022 sixth-round pick lined up from four different positions during preseason play.

Defensive linemen (9)

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman
  • Brian Burns
  • Derrick Brown
  • Matt Ioannidis
  • Yetur Gross-Matos
  • Marquis Haynes Sr.
  • Amaré Barno
  • Bravvion Roy
  • Daviyon Nixon
  • Marquan McCall

McCall has absolutely shined this preseason and proved he’s worth keeping around as that added body general manager Scott Fitterer alluded to at the beginning of training camp. The undrafted rookie recorded five tackles and a sack in exhibition play.

Linebackers (6)

AP Photo/Chris Carlson
  • Shaq Thompson
  • Damien Wilson
  • Frankie Luvu
  • Cory Littleton
  • Brandon Smith
  • Julian Stanford

2022 could very well serve as a breakout campaign for Luvu. We got a sneak peek at his increased role on Friday night, as the fourth-year backer posted a team-high eight tackles over just 25 snaps.

Cornerbacks (5)

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  • Jaycee Horn
  • Donte Jackson
  • CJ Henderson
  • Keith Taylor Jr.
  • Stantley Thomas-Oliver III

Thomas-Oliver III’s work as a special teams gunner, as already mentioned by Rhule, gives him the inside track at a crowded room.

Safeties (5)

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
  • Jeremy Chinn
  • Xavier Woods
  • Juston Burris
  • Myles Hartsfield
  • Kenny Robinson Jr.

Hartsfield is going to play a key role in this Panthers secondary. His ability to cover as a nickel will allow for some flexibility from defensive coordinator Phil Snow.

Specialists (3)

AP Photo/Brian Westerholt
  • JJ Jansen
  • Johnny Hekker
  • Eddy Piñeiro

The big unknown, obviously, is left behind by Gonzalez—who sustained a “significant long-term” injury in the preseason finale. Carolina, at least to this point, is set to bring in Brian Johnson Piñeiro—who’ll be our pick—for workouts on Monday.

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