The Carolina Panthers are off to a rough start this season, dropping their first two games of the year. Most recently, the Panthers fell to the New Orleans Saints by a score of 20-17.
Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young was sacked four times in the loss and has already been sacked six times this season, which has drawn the concern of former NFL cornerback and current Fox Sports analyst Richard Sherman.
Not only could Young potentially suffer an injury on an awkward tackle, but the cumulative physical damage he will sustain from being sacked constantly could absolutely have a negative effect on him moving forward.
Young has not looked great in the early stages of 2023, throwing for 299 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while completing just 59.2 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 66.6.
In Young’s defense, the Panthers don’t exactly have an elite group of wide receivers.
DJ Chark was once a fine wide out for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but injuries have derailed him over the last few seasons. Case in point, he was sidelined for Carolina’s Week 1 loss against the Atlanta Falcons due to a hamstring issue. He then logged just catch for 15 yards versus the Saints.
Then, there is veteran receiver Adam Thielen, whose best days certainly seem to be behind him.
Laviska Shenault Jr. has been a disappointment since being drafted by the Panthers in 2020, and Jonathan Mingo and Terrace Martin Jr. are both unproven commodities.
Carolina did sign running back Miles Sanders to bolster the ground game this past offseason, but Sanders has struggled thus far, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry.
Obviously, growing pains are expected for Young, whom the Panthers selected with the No. 1 overall pick back in the spring. But Carolina’s offensive line certainly needs to do a better job of protecting him, as Young represents the club’s future.
The Panthers will look to break through with their first win of the season when they head on the road to battle the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday.
