When the Carolina Panthers kick off phase three of OTAs Tuesday morning, everyone on the roster is expected to be on the field. But not everyone will be a full participant.
At least seven players who suffered injuries last season are being brought along slowly, with the primary goal of having everyone full-go by training camp. In the meantime, doors are open for younger guys to make an impression with extra reps.
Limited — Kelvin Benjamin
Opportunity — Keyarris Garrett
Garrett went undrafted for a reason or reasons. The why remains unclear, but this is a chance to back up the solid showing the 6-foot-4 wideout had at rookie minicamp. If Garrett impresses among the veterans the next three weeks, he could begin to separate himself at a position currently packed with bodies.
Limited — Philly Brown
Opportunity — Damiere Byrd
Byrd shined in a rookie minicamp for a second straight year, but is he truly ready to play with the big boys? Ricky Proehl may have just been unloading some fluffy coachspeak when he predicted Byrd would be "someone to reckon with," but with Brown recovering from shoulder surgery, Byrd could put some heat on his short and speedy teammate.
Limited — Scott Simonson
Opportunity — Beau Sandland
The Panthers have made it abundantly clear — they're looking to improve their pass-catching options at tight end. Simonson, who's one of the five coming off shoulder surgery, has one catch for 10 yards in his two seasons as a pro. Before a hamstring tweak limited Sandland in rookie minicamp, the seventh-round pick was showing some promise.
Limited — Bené Benwikere
Opportunity — James Bradberry
Benwikere, the Panthers' de facto No. 1 cornerback, isn't yet ready after he broke his leg late last season. With Josh Norman in the nation's capital, both outside corner spots are wide open until training camp. Bradberry, the Panthers' second-round pick, is the obvious choice to slide into one the next few weeks. It almost feels like when guard Trai Turner immediately worked in with the starters on the offensive line a couple of years ago.
Limited — Luke Kuechly
Opportunity — David Mayo
Despite his absence from team drills in OTAs, Kuechly will probably find a way to be productive in 2016. Mayo earned his stripes on special teams last year, but he didn't play a single snap on defense. The former fifth-round pick may need to prove he's able to handle a larger role if he's going to stick around for a second season.
Limited — Mario Addison and Ryan Delaire
Opportunity — Rakim Cox and Arthur Miley
To the surprise of many, the Panthers didn't add a defensive end through free agency or the draft. But all offseason, they've been talking up their young guys, especially Cox and Miley. With Addison and Delaire rounding out the shoulder surgery rehab crew, Cox and Miley each have an opening to start standing out in their second seasons.