The Carolina Panthers are up against it going into tonight’s home game against the Detroit Lions.
Injuries have hit them hard since the beginning of training camp. Most recently, they’ll placed starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson on injured reserve, and are reportedly unlikely to have wide receiver Jalen Coker in uniform on Sunday.
Plus, they’re fresh off a rough go in last week’s loss to the Cleveland Browns. While we just learned, after Thursday night’s victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, that the Browns may actually be good, the Panthers let a very winnable game slip through their hands in Week 3.
If they’re going to defy the odds and defeat the Lions, they need a superb game from starting quarterback Bryce Young.
On that score, not many know what Young is capable of more than Detroit’s superstar running back Jahmyr Gibbs—who shared a backfield with Young at Alabama. Earlier this week, Gibbs shared the following warning for his teammates, per Eric Woodyard at ESPN:
When the Lions beat the Panthers in Week 5 of their rookie seasons on Oct. 8, 2023, Gibbs was out because of a hamstring injury but is now looking forward to seeing his old pal on the field. “I’ve always been rooting for him,” Gibbs said of Young. “I know what he can do. I know what he’s capable of. I told them, ‘I mean, he’s like that. Don’t be surprised if he starts carving y’all up’ but our defense is right. We’re gonna hoop. So, I’m not really worried about that too much.”
It’s taken Young a while, but he’s finally living up to the expectations that normally come with being the No. 1 overall pick. He’s posted at least 285 passing yards in all three of his starts, currently leads the league in passing yards (939) and ranks fifth in touchdown passes.
Young has a good matchup tonight, as well. Detroit has the worst pass defense in the league right now, allowing 299.3 yards per game through the air.
If Young can take advantage and turn this game into a shootout, the Panthers will at least have a chance at an upset win.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: RB Jahmyr Gibbs warns teammates about Panthers QB Bryce Young ahead of SNF
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