Carolina elevates Brandon Walton and Boogie Basham from the practice squad for Week 4 vs. New England, adding depth on the line as D.J. Wonnum and Pat Jones II sit. Walton logged seven snaps last week; Basham provides veteran edge presence. 2025 picks Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen are expected to start at outside linebacker, signaling a shift on the defense as the rookie duo handles increased duties.

The roster shuffles underscore Panthers’ need to weather injuries and offer potential fantasy ripple effects for IDP managers and rookies stepping into bigger roles in a pivotal early-season matchup.

Carolina’s defense has flipped a rough script in three weeks. A 30-0 win over Atlanta showcased a stronger front and smarter pass rush as Dan Morgan rebuilt the line with Tershawn Wharton, even if his debut was cut short by a hamstring tweak. If Wharton returns healthy, Ejiro Evero’s unit could unleash more pressure, with Derrick Brown anchoring up the middle and rookie Princely Umanmielen benefited by a steadier edge.

Wharton’s mentorship of Umanmielen stands out as a key storyline, underscoring a culture of professional growth. Jimmy Horn Jr. earning promotion adds versatility to the depth chart as Carolina braces for New England, aiming to sustain improvements on both sides of the ball and turn early-season momentum into tangible fantasy gains.

Panthers Week 2 snap counts spotlight more youth on defense and a stubborn, recurring reliance on Nick Scott. Lathan Ransom barely edges into more snaps (nine to twelve) while Princely Umanmielen flashes in limited action with a sack and a pressure, yet still isn’t on the field enough. Xavier Legette continues heavy targets as WR2 despite rough efficiency, prompting calls for Brycen Tremayne or David Moore to seize downs.

The unit shows improved pass rush, but late first-half and start-of-second-quarter breakdowns persist. With Umanmielen thriving in limited snaps, Carolina faces tough calls on rotation, especially around Legette’s role and the WR corps, ahead of Week 3.