The Carolina Panthers held practice for the fifth-straight day Monday morning, the final practice before their first day off on Tuesday, July 31st. Below are some notables from what took place during Monday’s practice.
Notables from the Carolina Panthers Fifth Day of Practice
Season Ending Injury for Ross Cockrell
One of the newest Panthers defensive backs this year was fifth-year veteran Ross Cockrell who signed a two-year deal back in March. Cockrell injured his leg at Monday’s practice when his leg got caught under wide receiver Torrey Smith‘s body as he dove low for a pass. Cockrell needed to be carted off and practice was immediately ended after the incident.
Ross Cockrell carted off. Practice is over. pic.twitter.com/srm1qppcxp
— Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) July 30, 2018
It was later reported that the injury Cockrell suffered was a broken tibia and fibula. He is expected to have surgery on Tuesday and will miss the entire 2018 season.
How Does the Cockrell Injury Impact the Panthers?
While Cockrell was not slated to be a starting corner at the moment, the Panthers signed him this off-season with the intent of bringing experience to the boundary corner position. In four seasons, he’s totaled up five interceptions and 36 pass deflections for three different teams. Cockrell was initially signed after the failed physical of Bashaud Breeland, which nullified the three-year deal he had signed earlier with the Panthers. Cockrell was battling alongside Kevon Seymour and Donte Jackson for a starting corner spot across James Bradberry this summer before his injury.
As far as replacing Cockrell on the roster, the Panthers could give Breeland, who still is a free agent, a call. Breeland failed his physical because of an infection on his foot he got from a cut while on vacation. The foot is rumored to be healed and Breeland recently met with the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs. Players such as Delvin Breaux, Jeremy Lane and Kayvon Webster are other available free agents the Panthers could look to bring in.
The Panthers could also look for their replacement in-house with players such as Ladarius Gunter, Cole Luke, Lorenzo Doss or Corn Elder. Gunter was claimed off waivers last season and played mostly special teams, Luke spent last season on the injured reserve, Doss has recorded two pass deflections in three seasons with the Denver Broncos and Elder is recovering from a knee injury he suffered last fall.
Vet Days
Head coach Ron Rivera mentioned that Monday would be the start of veteran days and tight end Greg Olsen, center Ryan Kalil, safety Mike Adams and linebacker Thomas Davis were among those who received the day off. Players like Ian Thomas saw a lot of reps during Monday’s practice as a result of the off day given to Olsen. Thomas had a few drops during the 7-on-7 drills but was able to haul in a touchdown pass from quarterback Cam Newton in the 11-on-11 period.
Teaching the Rookie Up
Rookie safety Rashaan Gaulden delivered a borderline ‘targeting’ hit on wide receiver Jarius Wright as the receiver was attempting to make a catch in the end zone. Following the play, veteran wide receiver Devin Funchess was the first to consult Gaulden about the improper hit. Funchess was followed by Rivera, then defensive coordinator Eric Washington and lastly Adams, whom all discussed with Gaulden the proper way to make a clean hit in that situation.
Gaulden has stood out in training camp thus far and has received a lot of reps with the first defense. While the hit may or may not have been illegal, the Panthers have not had a big-hitting type safety in quite some time. If Gaulden can bring that consistent power to the secondary in 2018, it adds a new element to Carolina’s defense.
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