What can the Carolina Panthers anticipate from Josh Norman in Week 17?

What kind of contribution can the Carolina Panthers anticipate from veteran cornerback Josh Norman in Week 17 after his sensational return?

Josh Norman‘s bombshell return to the Carolina Panthers solely provides to the joy forward of the workforce’s largest recreation in years. Sunday’s showdown on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will possible decide who wins the NFC South, despite the fact that the New Orleans Saints haven’t given up hope simply but after their latest resurgence.

The stakes couldn’t be a lot increased for Carolina. The actual fact they’re on this state of affairs after a 1-5 begin is exceptional – one thing that interim head coach Steve Wilks deserves untold credit score for in pursuit of profitable the job past 2022.

Norman stated himself that if he felt the Panthers didn’t have a official shot at reaching the postseason, this reunion doesn’t occur. Jaycee Horn is more likely to miss the competition because of a damaged wrist, so signing somebody that may transition rapidly was an absolute necessity with lots on the road subsequent weekend.

There’s little question Norman performed one of the best soccer of his profession below Wilks. It’s additionally price remembering that he achieved no fewer than seven compelled fumbles in 2021 on the San Francisco 49ers, which wasn’t sufficient for a brand new deal or a possibility elsewhere.

What can the Carolina Panthers anticipate from Josh Norman?

Whereas the Panthers are unlikely to get an All-Professional starter in Norman, his earlier relationship with Wilks and prowess for rising to the event is one thing that might present help when wanted most.

This was a sentiment echoed by Wilks, who said Norman already possesses the DNA he’s returning to Carolina soccer. One thing that’s performed a major position within the workforce’s spectacular turnaround.

“When Scott and I talked about it at this time, he has expertise on this league, brings veteran management. And most significantly, I really feel like he possesses our DNA. I do know him personally; he performed for me. He understands the tradition that we’ve tried to create right here and the component of play that we’re in search of.”

If Horn misses the sport as anticipated, then C.J. Henderson and Keith Taylor Jr. will likely be tasked with exterior protection duties. Nevertheless, the presence of Norman ought to present a stable rotational piece on a restricted foundation, offering the previous Coastal Carolina stud hits the bottom working.

Norman’s by no means backed down from a problem, that’s for certain. Asking the veteran to line up prominently in opposition to Chris Godwin or Mike Evans is likely to be an excessive amount of given the timeframe, however locking horns with Julio Jones is one thing the participant will relish after being introduced with one remaining probability to make an NFL assertion.

That is Carolina’s largest recreation for a while. A possibility that even the brightest optimist wouldn’t have predicted contemplating how dangerous issues appeared as soon as upon a time.

Wilks has put in the assumption as soon as once more. And when the decision arrived, Norman didn’t hesitate.

Week 17 will likely be one for sturdy characters and the Panthers can not afford any passengers. Simply how a lot Norman can affect proceedings on the sector is debatable, however the counsel he can present Henderson and Taylor versus opposition he is aware of nicely may make an enormous distinction.

And who is aware of, this could possibly be one other pendulum-swinging second that spearheads the Panthers to the unlikeliest of postseason appearances.