With Jerricho Cotchery’s prospects ‘bleak,’ young Carolina Panthers WRs will get their shot

With veteran wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery expected to sit out with a high ankle sprain, a couple of the Carolina Panthers’ young wideouts will get a chance to shine against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Rookie Devin Funchess and second-year man Kevin Norwood will be in the receiving rotation behind starters Ted Ginn Jr. and Philly Brown.

Funchess, a second-round pick from Michigan, has two catches for 24 yards in two games. Norwood, acquired in a trade with Seattle on Sept. 1, had a ball go through his hands against Houston last week in his first game action with the Panthers.

“Those young guys really have good opportunities to make some plays,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. “It’ll be good to see those guys make plays. I think they’ve got that kind of ability.”

Cotchery, 33, has yet to practice since injuring his ankle in a Week 2 win against Houston. Rivera said Cotchery’s chances of playing against the Saints look “bleak.”

No. 3 quarterback Joe Webb likely would be the team’s fifth wide receiver. Webb has seven career receptions for 58 yards, including a 16-yard catch last season for Carolina.

“I play a lot of roles,” Webb said. “I just study my playbook and study every position and when my number’s called, just be prepared for it.”

This story was originally published September 24, 2015 at 5:37 PM with the headline "With Jerricho Cotchery’s prospects ‘bleak,’ young Carolina Panthers WRs will get their shot."