Cat Scratch Reader
The Carolina Panthers visited the Houston Texans in Week 2 of the 2025 NFL Preseason. Unlike last year, the Panthers starters did actually see some live reps in the game, with the offense out there for two drives. Let’s take a closer look at how the players looked from a fantasy perspective.
Bryce was only on the field for seven offensive snaps. In this extremely limited sample size, there was some good and some not so good. The not so good for my money was the interception he threw on a free play due to a defensive holding penalty. He knew he had a free play, which is great, and he attacked downfield, also great. Unfortunately, the ball looked like it was intended for Derek Stingley Jr, who plays for the other team. Not great. His stat line was also not great (0/2, sacked once for -8 yards), but this is where the good comes in. Yes, the ball to Tetairoa McMillan was high, but it was still catchable. The throw to JT Sanders was perfect, just out of the defenders reach and right into the receiver’s hands. Sanders dropped it. If either of those catchable balls are hauled in, we have a very different feeling about Bryce after the game.
Chuba only got a couple carries and didn’t do much with them. He’s obviously the type of back who likes to get in a groove over time, and he was not allowed to do that with only two carries. Still, you’d like to see a little bit more from your bell cow who just signed a huge extension. I’m not concerned, though. Chuba will get going when the games actually matter.
Dowdle did make some plays in limited action. While his running left a lot to be desired (again, small sample size of just two carries), he did manage to pick up 15 yards on a short pass that was the Panthers lone third down conversion. That ability to turn up field in a hurry is something that will help a lot in the passing game, especially since Chuba is not a huge threat in the passing game.
As mentioned earlier, McMillan was unable to haul in a high pass from Bryce Young early in the game. A top ten pick at wide receiver known for making contested catches should have brought that one down. It would have been a great catch, likely one-handed, but we’ve seen him make those catches before in college and in practice. He’ll get there, though. His only other target saw him completely beat the corner on an out-and-up that would have been a touchdown had Andy Dalton not been hit as he threw the ball. Overall, hang in there through the growing pains, McMillan will be worth it in fantasy over time.
Legette only played 11 snaps and did not register...
