How did the New Year’s Eve looks pan out for the Carolina Panthers?
Here are our top takeaways from the snap counts in yesterday’s 26-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Changing of the guard
After coming on in relief of Nash Jensen the past two weeks, Gabe Jackson finally got the start at right guard. He played in each of the offense’s 54 snaps and was charged with one sack.
Ironically enough, Jensen would have to come on in relief of an injured Cade Mays at left guard. Neither youngster, however, did much to solidify confidence at the position—as Mays allowed two pressures over 18 pass-blocking snaps while Jensen allowed three over 21.
If Mays is to miss the regular-season finale with his finger injury, it’ll very likely be Jensen and Jackson finishing off the year-long shuffle on the interior.
Where's Mr. DJ?
Outside linebacker DJ Johnson played just five defensive snaps—the lowest total of the entire unit. He’s now come short of double-digit snaps in four of his last five games, with the outlier resulting in just 10 looks.
Not only were the Panthers the first team eliminated from playoff contention, but they also have to gauge what they have on the roster with yet another head-coaching change in store. So you’d think, especially as a raw prospect, that Johnson would be getting some burn.
Alas, the rookie just notched his season-low in snaps in a game where his defense was on the field for 63 plays. General manager Scott Fitterer’s move to trade up for Johnson was head-scratcher when it happened, and looks even more questionable now.
Shaq(uill) Attack
Despite being ruled as active prior to kickoff, starting cornerback Jaycee Horn did not play due to a toe injury. The 2021 eighth overall pick has now missed 29 of a possible 50 games in his three-year NFL career.
In his place was Shaquill Griffin, who was on the field for all 63 defensive snaps. The former Pro Bowler was solid, too—as Pro Football Focus graded him out at a 78.5 in tackling and a 61.6 in coverage.
Griffin, in his first start this season for Carolina, gave a pretty good account of himself.
