5 Panthers players to watch vs. Chargers

Just like that, the Chargers are already preparing for Week 2. Jim Harbaugh and his 1-0 unit are now set to face the Panthers, who got decimated in their season opener.

While the Panthers are considered one of the worst teams in the NFL, there are still a few players that the Chargers will need to keep an eye on in Week 2.

RB Chuba Hubbard

Amongst the healthy tailbacks, Hubbard is the most dynamic one on the Panthers’ current roster. In Week 1, Hubbard and Miles Sanders continued to split duties. The former fourth-round pick finished the first game with just 14 rushing yards on six carries, but he’s the one to watch from this backfield.

WR Xavier Legette

The Panthers’ roster as a whole lacks talent, but not the wide receiver room. Legette led the team in catches (4) in his first career game. The 2024 first-rounder finished with 35 receiving yards, and Panthers HC Dave Canales provided rave reviews for Legette’s debut. He’s the kind of athlete that can provide big plays for the Panthers, so the Chargers secondary will need to account for him.

C Austin Corbett

Corbett turned in one of the better performances at the center position in Week 1. That was against a stout Saints front too, and he’ll be tasked with slowing down Poona Ford and Otito Ogbonnia in Week 2. Those two were superb for the Chargers in the season opener, so it’ll be a matchup of the strengths here.

DT A’Shawn Robinson

With star Derrick Brown out for the year, Robinson will be asked to step up in a big way. He enjoyed a stellar performance to begin the season and could pose a major problem for the Chargers in Week 2. The Bolts’ interior offensive line struggled in the opener, namely center Bradley Bozeman. As a result, this is a matchup to keep an eye on throughout the game.

CB Jaycee Horn

Horn is Carolina’s best cornerback by a decent bit and is coming off an elite 2023 campaign. The Chargers may opt to go to the opposite side of Horn all day long, which would be wise considering the lack of options at wide receiver for them.