Heading into the final week of preseason, the Houston Texans will take on the Carolina Panthers to wrap up their slate of opponents.
Both sides still have several key roster-based questions to answer, as well as having the mission to ensure each team makes it out of the final week of preseason as healthy as they can be.
To help provide some essential insight into the Panther's perspective on things, Dean Jones, Site Expert of the Carolina Panthers' arm known as Cat Crave, joined Toro Times to answered five burning questions regarding the matchup and their immediate future.
Five burning questions ahead of Texans-Panthers
Clayton Anderson: Seeing as though you have WR Jimmy Horn Jr. as a "likely lock" for the 53-man roster, what early-season expectations do you have for his production?
Dean Jones: Not really sure. Jimmy Horn Jr. has earned his place; that's not up for discussion at this point. With rookie third-round pick Chris Brazzell II out for the season and Xavier Legette dealing with a foot injury, his improved dependability could see him utilized as a gadget option capable of operating anywhere along the line of scrimmage or even in the backfield.
CA: Former Houston Texans WR John Metchie had a highly productive game against the Jaguars, with 6 receptions for 77 yards. Aside from that, Metchie also has re-connected with fellow Alabama alumni Bryce Young in Carolina. With that said, do you think Metchie has an outside chance to have a career year for the Panthers this season?
DJ: He's got to make the team first. John Metchie III is starting to find his groove, but he doesn't offer much special-teams value. That might be the difference between him making the squad or not, but if he does go through, quarterback Bryce Young already knows how to get him the football.
CA: The last time we saw QB Bryce Young and the Panthers in live game action, they took the Los Angeles Rams down to the wire in a 34-31 slugfest in the NFL playoffs. Do you anticipate a level of carryover that may result in a faster three-game start than last season (1-2 after week 3 in 2025)?
DJ: They've got a tough start again, but it's not impossible. Dave Canales has emphasized the need to start faster, which takes the pressure off later. It will be difficult, but the Panthers proved last season they can match anyone, and they can do the same again.
CA: Speaking of Bryce Young, do you think that he's officially turned the corner in his career and is on the way to being one of the better young QB's in the NFL?
DJ: Bryce Young gets harshly treated. People get too wrapped up in their pre-draft projections while ignoring his real growth over the last two seasons. It wasn't easy to come back after being benched just two games into Dave Canales' tenure, but he's shown tremendous resolve, continues to improve, and has also found his voice as a leader. Young is nowhere near the finished product, but that's what makes this season so exciting with a big contract extension at stake.
CA: What are the three keys for a Panthers victory against the Texans this Friday night?
DJ: Who knows? The Panthers aren't going to play anyone of significance, and most gaining the lion's share of snaps probably won't be on the team by Sunday. But if those who are right on the fringes can impress with a few big plays here and there, that could be enough.
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