CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A look at five players who need to impress when the Carolina Panthers face the Miami Dolphins on Saturday at 7 p.m.:
Defensive end Frank Alexander: He went from the starting lineup in last Friday's preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills to working with the third team earlier this week. The Panthers were hoping Alexander or Kony Ealy would emerge as the every-down end opposite Charles Johnson, but neither has shown the consistency that suggest this will happen. Ealy continued to work with the first team in practice, so the real pressure is on Alexander, out to prove himself after being suspended 14 games last season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. As he said before camp, this season could be his last chance.
Defensive end Wes Horton: He started 15 games last season because he was the best option as the run-stopper after Greg Hardy was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list. He’s been almost a forgotten piece of the equation during camp, often working with the third string. With players such as Rakim Cox making a splash, Horton needs to make an impression to remain on the final roster.
Wide receiver Jarrett Boykin: He entered training camp on the bubble to make the final roster. With No. 1 wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin out for the year, the free agent from Green Bay has an opportunity to play a big role. He stepped up in the final two days of a joint practice against the Dolphins at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Now he needs to bring that to the game.
Center Brian Folkerts: The Panthers have been experimenting with Mike Remmers as the backup center, which puts Folkerts’ job in jeopardy. Folkerts got a lot of quality snaps against Miami and star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh on Thursday with starter Ryan Kalil getting a veteran’s day off. This could be his last good chance to prove he deserves a spot.
Outside linebacker Shaq Thompson: Thompson, the Panthers' first-round pick, isn’t on this list because he’s in danger of not making the roster. He’s here because this will be his first preseason game after missing the opener with a hamstring injury and the coaching staff needs to see how far he’s progressed in the system. Much of what defensive coordinator Sean McDermott hopes to do to take his unit to the next level is predicated on Thompson's ability to rush the passer and drop into coverage. This is the first test.
