Panthers protect four practice squad players ahead of Week 1 clash with Raiders

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The Panthers have protected four players from being poached by other teams ahead of the season opener.

The Panthers announced four players they have protected on their practice squad ahead of their Week 1 matchup with the Raiders. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teams are allowed to protect four practice squad players from being signed by other teams on a weekly basis. The Panthers have chosen to protect running back Reggie Bonnafon, defensive back Natrell Jamerson, offensive tackle Matt Kaskey and kicker Kaare Vedvik, according to a report from Alaina Getzenberg of the Charlotte Observer.

The four players the Panthers are protecting on the practice squad this week are:

RB Reggie Bonnafon
DB Natrell Jamerson
T Matt Kaskey
K Kaare Vedvik

Vedvik is listed as just a kicker on the transaction wire. This means teams cannot sign these four to an active roster.

— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) September 8, 2020

The one that stands out the most to me is Vedvik. It’s smart to stash a guy who has experience at both kicker and punter on the ‘emergency squad’ just in case something happens to either Joey Slye or Joseph Charlton (and in a worst case scenario, both), so I’m glad the Panthers were forward thinking there. I’m surprised Bonnafon didn’t make the 53-man roster in the first place, but it’s nice to see that he’s the ‘next man up’ at running back should something happen to one of the backup guys on the roster. (I’m not even going to entertain something happening to Chri... nope,.. not even gonna finish that thought.)

Another interesting tidbit is that Rhule said this list could change from week to week, so we’ll be sure to keep an eye on that throughout the season.

This group could change weekly, per Rhule.

— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) September 8, 2020

What do you think, Panthers fans? Are there any players on this list you would replace? If so, who would you replace them with, and why would you do it?

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