The Panthers did some experimentation to try and keep pace with the undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Sunday – it didn’t work as the Panthers lost by 38, giving up the most rushing yards in franchise history and allowed seven sacks.
The Panthers utilized seven different offensive linemen, with Taylor Moton (69) beginning the game at left tackle before moving to the right side on the second series of the game as Dennis Daley (64) came in at left tackle, where he’d started the past two games. Daryl Williams (22) began the game at right tackle and was back in at right guard in the fourth quarter when Ron Rivera elected to rest some starters, including Trai Turner (55) and Matt Paradis (55).
The Panthers also pulled Christian McCaffrey (54) with the Panthers down more than 30 points; it was the Panthers’ running back’s lowest percentage of the season. With Jarius Wright heading to the locker room after getting banged up, Brandon Zylstra (8) and DeAndrew White (10) got some action, with White getting his first reception since 2017 – Zylstra also handled punt and kickoff return duties while White added a kickoff return late.
The Panthers also did some experimenting in the defensive secondary as Ross Cockrell (53) opened the game opposite James Bradberry in what appeared to be a bit of a rotation with Donte Jackson (48) as both corners also handled slot duties at times – the lighter workload for Jackson may have been in deference to easing him back slowly after he missed three games with a groin injury. The Panthers also used Jermaine Carter, Jr (23) as their third linebacker in a 4-3 set when not using their nickel package – Javien Elliott did not record a snap.
Rookie Brian Burns (33), who had minor wrist surgery during the bye and played with a club on his right hand, played the second-fewest snaps of any defensive lineman – his playing time has gone down each week since Week 4.
“Definitely,” Burns told The Riot Report when asked if he felt like he had less playing time then he’s used to, adding that the wrist didn’t bother him at all as the club removed all pain, albeit kept him from grabbing anything. “I’m assuming it was the wrist, but I’m not sure.”
Check out the full snap counts below:
| Player | Position | Offensive Snaps | Percentage | Defensive Snaps | Percentage | Special Teams Snaps | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T Moton | T | 69 | 100% | 1 | 3% | ||
| G Van Roten | G | 69 | 100% | 1 | 3% | ||
| K Allen | QB | 69 | 100% | ||||
| D Moore | WR | 64 | 93% | ||||
| D Daley | G | 61 | 88% | ||||
| C Samuel | WR | 61 | 88% | ||||
| M Paradis | C | 55 | 80% | 1 | 3% | ||
| T Turner | G | 55 | 80% | ||||
| C McCaffrey | RB | 54 | 78% | ||||
| G Olsen | TE | 54 | 78% | ||||
| J Wright | WR | 40 | 58% | ||||
| C Manhertz | TE | 22 | 32% | 1 | 3% | ||
| D Williams | T | 22 | 32% | 1 | 3% | ||
| I Thomas | TE | 15 | 22% | ||||
| T Larsen | C | 14 | 20% | 1 | 3% | ||
| R Bonnafon | RB | 12 | 17% | 21 | 66% | ||
| D White | WR | 10 | 14% | 13 | 41% | ||
| B Zylstra | WR | 8 | 12% | 13 | 41% | ||
| J Scarlett | RB | 4 | 6% | 20 | 62% | ||
| A Armah | FB | 1 | 1% | 20 | 62% | ||
| J Bradberry | CB | 67 | 100% | 9 | 28% | ||
| S Thompson | LB | 67 | 100% | 9 | 28% | ||
| E Reid | SS | 67 | 100% | 8 | 25% | ||
| T Boston | FS | 67 | 100% | ||||
| L Kuechly | LB | 63 | 94% | 9 | 28% | ||
| R Cockrell | CB | 53 | 79% | 6 | 19% | ||
| D Jackson | CB | 48 | 72% | 5 | 16% | ||
| B Irvin | LB | 43 | 64% | 5 | 16% | ||
| M Addison | LB | 41 | 61% | ||||
| D Poe | NT | 38 | 57% | 9 | 28% | ||
| G McCoy | DT | 35 | 52% | 8 | 25% | ||
| V Butler | DE | 33 | 49% | 8 | 25% | ||
| K Love | NT | 31 | 46% | 1 | 3% | ||
| M Haynes | LB | 24 | 36% | 24 | 75% | ||
| J Carter | LB | 23 | 34% | 19 | 59% | ||
| B Burns | LB | 22 | 33% | 6 | 19% | ||
| E Obada | DE | 15 | 22% | 1 | 3% | ||
| C Jones | FS | 31 | 97% | ||||
| R Gaulden | SS | 23 | 72% | ||||
| A Smith | LB | 22 | 69% | ||||
| J Kunaszyk | LB | 20 | 62% | ||||
| J Elliott | CB | 15 | 47% | ||||
| M Palardy | P | 8 | 25% | ||||
| J Jansen | LS | 8 | 25% | ||||
| J Slye | K | 4 | 12% |
