10 Carolina Panthers players facing make-or-break preseason finale against Lions

By this time next week, the Panthers will have a 53-man roster in place.

Over the next few days, Carolina will wrap up its evaluation process and reduce the roster by 37 players. That means the preseason finale in Bank of America Stadium at 8 p.m. Friday against the Detroit Lions will mark a final audition for a bunch of players fighting for roster spots — and, generally speaking, their NFL lives.

“Of all the preseason games I’ve been a part of, as a player and a coach, I don’t remember the scores of any of those games,” head coach Frank Reich told reporters Wednesday. “But I remember the plays, the players impacting the game. This is the opportunity for someone to make an impact.”

Here are 10 Panthers players facing a make-or-break Friday evening.

1. Matt Corral (QB, 2nd year)

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Ole Miss product will have the spotlight on him Friday. He’s taken most of the snaps thus far this preseason — with Bryce Young playing limited series with the starters and with Andy Dalton sitting out both games thus far — and has had his share of moments. The new NFL emergency quarterback rule has boosted Corral’s likelihood at getting retained by the team, but a good performance to punctuate his first healthy preseason would be ideal.

2. Shi Smith (WR, 3rd year)

The Panthers made a lot of moves in the offseason to bolster their receiving corps. They brought in veterans Adam Theilen and DJ Chark and drafted rookie Jonathan Mingo. That has launched Smith — the 5-foot-10 USC grad and 2021 draft pick — to the Panthers’ roster bubble. Some injury attrition has made Smith’s retainment possibilities more likely heading into Week 1, and so has his production in the preseason: Smith has notched five catches for 79 yards across the team’s two games.

3. Spencer Brown (RB, 3rd year)

When asked about Brown yesterday, Panthers running backs coach Duce Staley shrugged in amazement: “What a camp he’s had.” That resembles the sentiment of a lot of other important people in the organization who have watched the 6-foot, 220-pound bruiser this camp. That praise hasn’t necessarily been because of his production in a game — he’s recorded 60 yards on 18 carries and two receptions for 10 yards across two games — so a good Friday could go a long way. He’s really fighting for the third running back slot behind Miles Sanders, who is “TBD” to play Friday but will “absolutely” play Week 1, and Chuba Hubbard. (Raheem Blackshear is also in the mix at running back and has carved out an important place on the team thanks to his returning abilities.)

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4. Giovanni Ricci (TE, 4th year)

The 6-3, 240-pound tight end played in 15 games with three starts in 2022. But he could be considered on the roster bubble considering how deep the position has all of a sudden become — namely with the addition of veteran receiving tight end Hayden Hurst. Ricci has caught one pass for 14 yards this preseason.

5. Kobe Jones (OLB, 3rd year)

The pass-rushing corps for the Panthers has become pretty crowded, particularly with the preseason signing of Justin Houston. It’d be helpful for Jones to make a play or two to stand out on Friday for his roster playoff chances. Jones was an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State prior to entering the league and spending time with Atlanta, Miami, Tennessee and Green Bay before signing to the Panthers’ practice squad in Week 10 last year.

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6. Brandon Smith (LB, 2nd year)

Smith was a rookie in 2022, playing 12 games and making one start for the Panthers. Carolina’s 6-3, 240-pound fourth-round draft pick has notched three tackles in this preseason — but again, he’s fighting to shine among a bunch of established players in this linebacking corps that includes Shaq Thompson and Frankie Luvu.

7. Matthew Wright (K, 4th year)

Let’s be clear: Eddy Piñeiro is the Panthers’ starter. He signed a two-year deal with the team in the offseason. But while Piñeiro has been out of action during the preseason due to a groin injury, Wright has made a name for himself, nailing two kicks in as many tries, including one from 53 yards. Piñeiro likely won’t play in the final preseason game but will be ready come Week 1. That means Wright is largely just auditioning for other teams Friday. That still means the contest against the Lions is important to him.

8. Nash Jensen (OL, Rookie)

The 6-4, 328-pound guard signed with the Panthers as an undrafted free agent out of North Dakota State this offseason, and many of his teammates have admired his football savvy and run-blocking. (Brady Christensen called him “incredible” Wednesday.) But will he make the roster? A lot of that depends on how he individually plays — and as well as the maligned offensive line plays — Friday.

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9. Javon Wims (WR, 6th year)

The fate of the Panthers’ 6-4, 215-pound wide receiver largely rests on what Carolina wants to do at the position. Does the team want to retain a sixth (or even seventh) wideout, particularly with the trio of injuries at play right now? The 2018 draft pick can help answer that question with a great performance Friday.

10. Derek Wright (WR, 2nd year)

Wright is in a similar spot as Wims. The 6-1, 195-pound receiver has notched three receptions for 35 yards this preseason.