The Carolina Panthers might have lost their leading wide receiver, but do not expect the team to rush out and sign someone just to add to the roster. The Panthers' wide receiver group has been a subject of doubt before the Kelvin Benjamin injury and now it is even more in question with the star out for the year following an ACL tear. However, the Panthers are maintaining plenty of confidence in what they currently have.
One thing giving Carolina a boost in spirits is the return of rookie Devin Funchess. The second-round draft pick returned to the field and began participating in team drills following a hamstring strain. The Panthers have a lot of expectations on Funchess to step up and be "the guy" in place of Benjamin, but he cannot do it alone which is why offensive coordinator Mike Shula is preaching a "by committee" approach.
"There are certain things that Kelvin did better than other guys, but there are certain things the guys we have now are going to do just as well as Kelvin, but in a different way. So that is what we have to look at and try to maximize the talent of each one of our guys when they're in there," Shula said, via the HeraldOnline.com.
While confidence is high in Funchess, the Panthers like Corey Brown who looked good last year until an injury ended his season and Ted Ginn Jr who has been a strong asset for the team. Everyone in Carolina recognizes the loss of Benjamin is big, but no one expects it to derail the season. Quarterback Cam Newton noted that the preseason game against the Miami Dolphins was certainly not the way the team intended to play their first game without Benjamin, but he is stressing that everyone has moved on and re-focused.
"There is no need to sulk about it," Newton said. "There is no need to cry about it now. When I went to see [Benjamin], and I still talk to him daily, he's in good spirits. Every time I text him, every time I call him, he's always, 'Go out there and do your thing. Lead them boys.' When I hear that from him, that kind of puts it in perspective."
The Panthers have no plans to make a signing right now regardless of who is available and who will become available. According to the Charlotte Observer, there are no plans to bring in Wes Welker or chase Justin Hunter or James Jones if they are out in the first set of roster cuts for the team. With a tight end like Greg Olsen and a leading running back like Jonathan Stewart, the Panthers will continue to test their current depth before eyeing any other options.
