How Will Carolina Deal If Kurt Coleman Misses Time?

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Cam Newton and Kurt Coleman

To be clear, early reports are saying that Kurt Coleman’s injury is not season injury. He was wearing a knee brace after sustaining what GM Marty Hurney and Ron Rivera described as a sprained knee. Coleman, who was named a team captain this season, will get an MRI tomorrow for a picture of the severity of the injury.

Coleman joined the team in 2014 as a free agent after spending time in Philadelphia and Kansas City. Coleman immediately fit into the system and became a valued member of the Panthers defense. So much so, Carolina hasn’t worked particularly hard to bolster the safety position. When Coleman left the game, undrafted rookie free agent Demetrious Cox filled in until he too left the field injured. That left, none other than, Colin Jones. It’s telling Carolina opted for Cox to substitute for Coleman rather than Jones, who has been with the team for several years. After Danny Amendola tied it up with a 4th down touchdown on Colin Jones, it became pretty apparent.

While we don’t know much about the severity of Coleman’s injury yet, if he were to miss any time it would be difficult for Carolina. Memories of Peanut Tillman’s partial MCL tear come to mind. In 2015, Tillman partially tore his MCL and missed a couple of games, only to return to fully tear it at the end of the season. Carolina had trouble recovering from losing Tillman. Coleman’s loss would have similar effects, perhaps even worse on a team where he means so much to an overall young secondary.

So will Carolina do? Obviously, Demetrious Cox and Colin Jones are the immediate reserves. Dezmen Southward and Damian Parms are both currently on the practice squad and were with the team throughout the entirety of training camp and the preseason.  Carolina may have to take measures beyond these guys, however.

Here is a list of all the safeties on practice squads throughout the league. Carolina could always make a trade or call on a vet sitting on his couch somewhere.

  • Marcelis Branch (ATL)
  • B.T. Sanders (BUF)
  • Dezmen Southward (CAR)
  • Damian Parm (CAR)
  • DeAndre Houston-Carson (CHI)
  • Brandon Wilson (CIN)
  • Jameill Showers (DAL)
  • Rolan Milligan (DET)
  • Andrew Williamson (INDY)
  • Leon McQuay (KC)
  • Damarius Travis (NE)
  • Ryan Murphy (NYG)
  • Jacob Hagen (PIT)
  • Isaiah Johnson (TB)
  • Denzel Johnson (TEN)
  • Fish Smithson (WAS)

By Tony Dunn
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