Panthers seek more targets for receiver group against Saints

Through two games here in the 2022 regular season, only three Carolina Panthers wideouts have recorded a target. But we swear, they really do have more receivers.

On Thursday, offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo addressed the situation and that he has to do a better job of getting more guys at the position involved.

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"Yeah, we worked a lot of guys in this week," McAdoo said of adjusting his personnel and learning their identity. "We need to do a better job during the course of the game getting them in there and that starts with me. And we certainly have a lot of trust in our players, not just the three we've been throwing out there."

Those three receivers are DJ Moore, Robbie Anderson and Shi Smith. The trio has accounted for a 60.7-percent target share of Baker Mayfield's 56 passing attempts this season. 

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The Panthers 2021 second-round pick Terrace Marshall Jr. and free-agent signee Rashard Higgins haven't received any of that target share. They also haven't garnered much in the snap department either. 

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In the Week 1 opener against the Cleveland Browns, both players didn't see the field. Last week, Marshall played six snaps (but no targets) at MetLife Stadium. 

Additionally, Laviska Shenault Jr., who was acquired this offseason from the Jacksonville Jaguars, has yet to get any in-game action as well. He has not been active on game day due to learning the offense.

If McAdoo, however, wants to give his guys chances-would he disclose exactly which guys those would be? Nope.

"That's a great question," McAdoo said with a smile when asked which wide receiver would be the next one in. "That's a better question for Coach [Matt Rhule] than it is for me. Appreciate the question. But we have a lot of guys we have confidence in. So I'm not gonna mention any names because probably who I mention first will be something you can write about."

The Panthers host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET.