Cat Scratch Reader
The Carolina Panthers are looking to build on their one-game winning streak today in a momentous game against the New England Patriots. No one knows quite what to make of the Panthers this year. Are they the team that gave up a 10-point lead to the Arizona Cardinals in the first two minutes of their Week 2 game or the team that nearly won that game with a second half rally? No one really thinks they’re the team that drubbed the Atlanta Falcons 30-0 last week, but maybe they’re closer than we thought.
Panthers fans are primed for a big emotional reaction to this game, one way or another. A dud sends us all spiraling again while a strong showing will start to cement our budding confidence. Probably they’ll give a mediocre performance, win or lose, that doesn’t tell us one way or the other who they are. That’s the real Panther way, as we all know.
The big news of the morning is that Tershawn Wharton, out since sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 1, will be back in some capacity today. Chuba Hubbard (calf) and Tetairoa McMillan (calf) also popped up on the injury report this week, both will play.
The Carolina Panthers inactives are as follows: center Nick Sumac, defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy, outside linebacker Pat Jones, outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum, tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr, and wide receiver Xavier Legette.
Last week I said “today has a big sink or tread water feel for Panthers fans hoping for an entertaining season.” The team obviously came out swimming. But words like ‘winning’ and ‘competitive’ still feel a ways off, at least if we’re going to be using them consistently.
No matter what they do, we’ll be here all day to talk—and likely commiserate—about it.
This is your open thread to follow along with all the action today.
You know the drill.
This is now an open thread!
