Taking a look at some kids

Like most of the country, COVID-19 has swept through the Panthers in the last few weeks. While they’re hoping to get some players back later on Saturday, they’ve been extremely short-handed on defense in particular.

The Panthers had to practice on separate fields this week (offense and defense not working together) because of the lack of numbers.

“That’s just the world we live in today. We all know COVID is hitting us hard right now,” linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. said. “So the next man has to be prepared to step up. And when you’re off the field, you’ve just got to stay as safe as possible so you can avoid missing time. That’s all I’ve been doing, trying to avoid missing time. I’ve been staying masked up, not even just to play on the field, just for the safety of myself and my family. I just had my young daughter. That’s who I think about the most when I’m out and around my teammates. I keep my mask on, and I don’t want to catch anything and go back home to her.”

Carter said he wasn’t much of a social creature anyway, but has made it a priority to keep the circle close lately.

“I’m pretty much a homebody,” he said. “I don’t spend too much time going out clubbing, things like that. I’m not sure what other guys are doing. But I’m pretty much a guy that comes to the facility, comes to work, and I go right back home. Study some film, play some video games, and that’s pretty much all I do. I don’t spend much time out giving myself an opportunity to get COVID. I try to stay as safe as possible.”