Panthers Rookie Could Play Major Role vs Buccaneers This Week

As the Carolina Panthers get ready for Week 7 of the NFL season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there are still questions around the team.

Through the first five weeks of the season, Carolina has gone 3-2, looking like a legitimate team in the NFC. The Panthers have been led by an explosive offensive attack, with quarterback Bryce Young playing at a very high level.

But while the offense has been lights out so far, the defense has been a work in progress at times. Despite the team investing heavily into the defense over the offseason, the unit has remained one of the bigger issues for this team.

And entering Week 7 against the Buccaneers, the Panthers are dealing with multiple injuries in the secondary. Both starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson are out on injured reserve, leaving this team pretty thin.

Tampa Bay will be getting back starting quarterback Baker Mayfield for this game, giving them a boost against Carolina. With Mayfield returning, the injuries to the Carolina secondary could be even more troublesome.

One player who could end up getting a larger role against Tampa Bay this week is rookie safety Zakee Wheatley. The fifth-round pick of the Panthers this year has been excellent for the team, looking like a steal for Carolina.

So far this year, Wheatley has recorded 18 total tackles, two pass deflections, and one forced fumble. The rookie has been playing great for this team, and his emergence has allowed the Panthers to feel a little better about the secondary.

Against a pass-heavy team like the Buccaneers, especially with Mayfield in the lineup, Wheatley will likely have to play a larger role. The Panthers will be relying on the rookie to be a strong line of defense against the Tampa Bay passing attack, and at least so far, he has shown them what he can do.

Wheatley played in 52 defensive snaps last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, which was the most of his career so far. The Panthers are likely to need him to play a high number of snaps again this week, giving the defense a boost.

Carolina isn't going to count only on Wheatley, but his presence could make a big difference in this game. Tampa Bay loves to throw the ball down the field, and if Wheatley plays up to par, the Panthers could shut down the Buccaneers' offense a little.

This will be a big challenge for the rookie, but he hasn't backed down from anything this season so far.