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In less than two weeks, the Carolina Panthers will be reporting to training camp. And for the first time in nearly a decade, the roster actually looks competitive when stacked up against the rest of the league.
That's good news for the team's outlook going into 2026, but bad news for players who will be entering summer workouts on the roster bubble.
Here are three players who need to have a strong camp to secure their respective spots . . .
A fan favorite though he may be, Horn faces an uphill battle to make the initial 53-man roster.
We can safely assume that Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Chris Brazzell II and David Moore have the first five spots locked down. That means there may be only one receiver spot left for the rest to compete over.
To earn his place, Horn may need to prove that he can be a difference-maker as a kickoff and punt returner given Brycen Tremayne's and Dan Chisena's abilities on special teams.
Since leaving the Panthers back in 2021, Grier has spent a lot of time with the Dallas Cowboys—plus a few brief stints for the Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles. The former third-rounder pick still hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since his rookie season in 2019, though.
The Panthers are unlikely to keep three quarterbacks into September, with Kenny Pickett pretty much penciled in behind starter Bryce Young. But if Grier hopes to at least land on the practice squad, he'll have to outperform undrafted rookie Haynes King.
Like Grier, Carolina signing Forsythe was a bit of a head-scratcher.
He did little to impress during his four years as a backup in Seattle and even less as a starter last season in Las Vegas. His 55.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranked him 75th out of 89 qualifying offensive tackles in 2025.
With roster spots guaranteed to go to Rasheed Walker, Monroe Freeling, Taylor Moton and (possibly) Ikem Ekwonu, there isn't much room left at offensive tackle. Forsythe will have to beat out undrafted rookies Isaia Glass and Albert Reese, both of whom will be cheaper to keep around.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 3 Panthers players who need a great training camp
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That's good news for the team's outlook going into 2026, but bad news for players who will be entering summer workouts on the roster bubble.
Here are three players who need to have a strong camp to secure their respective spots . . .
WR Jimmy Horn Jr.
A fan favorite though he may be, Horn faces an uphill battle to make the initial 53-man roster.
We can safely assume that Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Chris Brazzell II and David Moore have the first five spots locked down. That means there may be only one receiver spot left for the rest to compete over.
To earn his place, Horn may need to prove that he can be a difference-maker as a kickoff and punt returner given Brycen Tremayne's and Dan Chisena's abilities on special teams.
QB Will Grier
Since leaving the Panthers back in 2021, Grier has spent a lot of time with the Dallas Cowboys—plus a few brief stints for the Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles. The former third-rounder pick still hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since his rookie season in 2019, though.
The Panthers are unlikely to keep three quarterbacks into September, with Kenny Pickett pretty much penciled in behind starter Bryce Young. But if Grier hopes to at least land on the practice squad, he'll have to outperform undrafted rookie Haynes King.
OT Stone Forsythe
Like Grier, Carolina signing Forsythe was a bit of a head-scratcher.
He did little to impress during his four years as a backup in Seattle and even less as a starter last season in Las Vegas. His 55.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranked him 75th out of 89 qualifying offensive tackles in 2025.
With roster spots guaranteed to go to Rasheed Walker, Monroe Freeling, Taylor Moton and (possibly) Ikem Ekwonu, there isn't much room left at offensive tackle. Forsythe will have to beat out undrafted rookies Isaia Glass and Albert Reese, both of whom will be cheaper to keep around.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 3 Panthers players who need a great training camp
Continue reading...
