Carolina Panthers: Five players to watch vs. Patriots
Aug 14, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Brandon Wegher (32) dives in for the winning touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at a preseason NFL football game at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Panthers beat the Bills 25-24. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Panthers have had a major blow to their roster already this offseason with the loss of Kelvin Benjamin, but this is still a very talented team with plenty to look forward to in the 2015 season.
It’s been a really exciting preseason for the Panthers with two late fourth quarter rallies, and now it’s time to take on — perhaps the most extended we will see him in the next month — Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Here are five players I’m particularly interested to watch in this game for the Panthers (considering the starters will likely play most of the game, too…).
1. Brandon Wegher, RB
Wegher has had a heck of an intro to the NFL. Since originally committing to the Iowa Hawkeyes program back in 2009 and playing a key role on a BCS team, Wegher fell off the map and was dismissed from the program.
Fast-forward to the 2014 season, where Wegher is a father and playing college ball at Morningside (Iowa) and absolutely dominating people. His ascent was such that it appeared as though he would have no chance at the NFL in 2013 and he put himself firmly on the map with a monstrous final season.
A player from the deep sleeper vault, is #Panthers undrafted RB Brandon Wegher. 3 TDs in 2 PS gms so far https://t.co/aIrjWvpWe2
— Jeff Haseley (@JeffHaseley) August 23, 2015
The Panthers took notice, and Wegher signed on with them after the draft. He’s taken advantage this preseason with two game-winning plays and three touchdowns in total. Jonathan Stewart is entrenched as the starter in Carolina — for now — and Cameron Artis-Payne is another rookie this team is high on, but Wegher is forcing Ron Rivera and company to make a really tough decision about his future. It’s possible with the amount of running backs in this league that he might sneak onto the practice squad, but it’s not out of the question that if Carolina lets him go through waivers, they might never get him back. I’m really excited to see Wegher’s follow-up performance should he see snaps against the Patriots.
Next: Dean Marlowe