The Carolina Panthers continue to get hit with wide receiver injuries that will set the offense back this season. While Cam Newton is doing all that he can to get the wins, the quarterback can only carry the team so far as several of his stars remain out with injuries. After losing Kelvin Benjamin for the year, the injury to Jerricho Cotchery forces the Panthers to make some decisions.
According to Bill Voth of Black and Blue Review, Cotchery has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain. At the moment, he is being ruled day-to-day, but this is the type of injury that if it were to flare up it could knock the receiver out for weeks. The Panthers are not ready to rule the veteran out of the Week 3 game, but there is a chance he is not active for some time.
"The high ankle sprain does tend to linger," Rivera said, via the Review. "But just the fact that he was able to come back and play on it like he did before it got stiff, the doctors feel that hopefully he'll be ready to go this weekend."
The injury to the veteran puts the Panthers in a tough spot. The team is already without Benjamin and Stephen Hill for the season as they dig deep for depth. The Panthers do have some good receivers still on the roster, but are they enough? Greg Olsen immediately becomes the top target and he can expect to be double covered every game. Corey Brown and Ted Ginn Jr will resume the starting jobs. The newly acquired Kevin Norwood will also see more playing time in the future.
The biggest thing the Panthers need is for rookie Devin Funchess to step up. The receiver had just one catch for 11 yards against the Texans. He was hyped as the main replacement for Benjamin and so far he is not looking the part. A preseason hamstring injury knocked him out early, but Carolina needs their second-round draft pick to start showing talent.
There are still free agent players lingering on the market. Through two games, Hakeem Nicks is the best option available after he was released by the Tennessee Titans. Reggie Wayne is available after he showed talent with the New England Patriots. Preston Parker was also just released by the New York Giants and immediately available for the taking. The Panthers would be wise to at least consider a free agent option.
