The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will officially begin their quest for a fourth straight NFC South title in the coming weeks. While one clear contender has emerged in the Atlanta Falcons, the South has proven a tight race among several teams in recent years.
The Carolina Panthers have existed outside that bubble of competition amid a rebuild as they look to retool with a rejuvenation of youth across the group. That transformation includes the backfield where they spent a second-round pick on Jonathon Brooks.
But the rookie will need to exercise patience on that front. The Panthers have placed Brooks on their Physically Unable to Perform list to start the season.
That means it will be at least four weeks before he gets any run in the Carolina backfield.
Under new head coach, and former Bucs offensive coordinator, Dave Canales, the Panthers are hoping to retool their offense around Bryce Young who struggled in his rookie season. That change will need to start with a run game that will support the young quarterback.