Receiver Jalen Coker gives the Panthers an unexpected lift 

DONALD WATKINS | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Carolina Panthers receiver Jalen Coker reaches for the end zone before stepping out of bounds in their 23-22 win against New Orleans Nov. 3 at Bank of America Stadium.

The Carolina Panthers’ offense needed a lift.

With leading receiver Diontae Johnson dressing for the Baltimore Ravens after last week’s trade and Adam Thielen sitting out again with an injured hamstring, the Panthers’ depleted wide receiver corps fielded two rookies, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker, among its top three wideouts.

Trailing 6-0 to New Orleans at Bank of America Stadium on third-and-7 from the Saints’ 21, Coker lined up outside to take a screen pass from quarterback Bryce Young. Coker grabbed the pass and broke free for an 18-yard gain.

Two plays later, Legette caught a 3-yard touchdown pass that sparked the Panthers’ 23-22 win against their NFC South rival. Running back Chuba Hubbard scored his second touchdown of the game on a 16-yard run with 2:18 remaining to snap the Panthers’ five-game losing streak.  

Young, the 2023 first-overall draft pick, engineered his first NFL game-winning drive and improved to 3-17 as a starter.

Coker, who did not dress for the Week 3 win, experienced his first NFL win as an active player.

“Just an awesome feeling to get that ‘W’ and I can speak for the whole team on that,” said Coker, who caught two passes for 36 yards.

Coker learning NFL business side  

With Tuesday’s trade deadline approaching, Thielen has been rumored on the way out as the rebuilding Panthers seek to stock up on future draft picks. Backup running back Miles Sanders is another player connected to contending clubs. Young, who was benched after two starts this season, could be available as well.

Coker, an undrafted free agent who played collegiately at Holy Cross, is beginning to understand the business side of professional sports.  

“This is such a ‘what have you done for me lately’ type of league,” he said. “You want to go out and you want to make plays, you want to produce, that’s how you get those other opportunities.

"As a rookie, especially an undrafted rookie, you’re not expecting to be an integral piece to the offense in the beginning, (or) I feel like that’s the outside perception. I feel like me personally, as soon as I step on the field, I can make an impact. But obviously, that’s going to take work and that's going to take messing up and coming back and doing it again and those trials and tribulations. I’m not afraid of that work.”

In five appearances, Coker has 14 catches on 18 targets for 222 yards and a touchdown. Entering Sunday, Carolina’s quarterbacks amassed a team-best 112.8 rating when throwing to him. Among rookie receivers, Coker's Pro Football Focus’ grade ranked third behind Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers. He’s one spot ahead of Marvin Harrison Jr.

If Thielen is traded, another spot on the depth chart could open for Coker. After Sunday’s win, the rookie appeared more focused on “Victory Monday,” an off day for the players.

“I’m not paying attention to that at all,” Coker said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I hope he doesn’t leave.”

Moving up depth chart

Coker, who spent most of the offseason program with the Panthers, was among the final payers cut in August, but after clearing waivers returned to the practice squad.

Thielen’s Week 3 injury created an opportunity for advancement. Against Denver, Coker caught four passes (six targets) for 78 yards and his first touchdown. His resume included a heavily contested 29-yard catch along the sideline and a rare reception over the middle from Young. Another full-extension, potential first-down catch was nullified on a holding call.

Still, Coker has work to do.

He needs to “continue to press into the core of our concepts,” coach Dave Canales said during Sunday. “The details and the fundamentals. The things they are improving on. Just staying the course of improvement. Come back to work on Wednesday and make sure we are taking those steps.”  

Coker is listening.

“Every day I try to get a little bit better,” he said. “They are moving me around a little bit, trying to get me into more motions, more screen plays. Have more of a presence in the offense. Just want to show them I can do it all.”

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