While health and safety are paramount, legitimate concerns remain about the virus. The Panthers have already had a player exclusion option due to COVID-19 concerns at linebacker Jordan Mack.
“What I have said to everyone is obviously that it affects us all differently. So if you have any concerns, questions, any issues, always reach out to talk about those things,” Rhule said. “At the end of the day, everyone has to make the right decision for them. So I don’t blame anyone for the decisions they make, especially when it comes to the safety of their family.”
With rookies, quarterbacks, and injured players now returning to the field for conditioning and runs, coaches wear masks or masks. Those who try the latter do so so that players can get to know their faces and better see their expressions.
Staff have a difficult task evaluating players before the roster reduction from August 16 to 80 players. Some teams have already been reduced to that number, but the Panthers will use a divided squad, at least for now.
“It just didn’t seem right or wise for us to cut back without seeing some of these guys work,” said Rhule. “The rules say we can go down to 80 at any time. I think in a year like this, as many people as possible who know your system and have been around you, even if they are called in November, you’re going to be happy with that. “
With little practice time and no preseason games, Carolina’s undrafted rookies could struggle to make enough impression to make the starting list. But unlike other coaches who have long-standing ties to players, they all have a blank slate right now.
“At least for us, we don’t know anyone,” said Rhule. “There’s also an expanded practice squad. It went from 10 to 12, and now it’s 16. You have a chance to be on an NFL roster that you might not have had last year.”
That’s part of Rhule’s general training philosophy, anyway. As a coach who thrived in Temple and Baylor without many five-star recruits, he wants an environment where players can thrive from the practice team to a consistent starter.
“That is one of the areas that I always thought was neglected by so many people,” said Rhule. “I don’t know why you can’t develop players in the NFL. So we thought, let’s do a great job with our practice team players, let’s do a great job with our young players, and find some rough diamonds.”
