Follow-Up Report on Panthers’ Fullback Situation

With recent news that fullbacks Brad Hoover and Tony Fiammetta were both out with injuries, the Carolina Panthers immediately started looking to replace the position last week for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. Instead of signing a new fullback to the team, John Fox’s Panthers instead opted to move running back Tyrell Sutton into the action, activating him for his first career start and using guard Mackenzy Bernadeau for short-yardage plays, as well. Though the situation wasn’t desirable (Sutton hadn’t even been in training camp, having been signed in early September), the Panthers found a way to shuffle through it, and things are sure to improve for next week.

Bernadeau, a 308-pound guard, is around 65 pounds too heavy to play fullback, but he still stepped up to the plate in Sunday’s game against the Saints regardless, saying, “I talked to (fullbacks) Hoover and Tony beforehand. They said [to] just get a feel for it. The first time can be tough because it’s full speed, game situation, but after that, just get a feel for it… and you’ll be set.” There were some bumps along the way for the Panthers on Sunday, but this week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons gives Carolina a shot to try again.

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