Panthers not starting Devin Funchess in Week 1

The Carolina Panthers are without star wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin for the duration of the 2015 regular season, forcing head coach Ron Rivera to look elsewhere on the roster for production. Many believed that Rivera would turn to rookie receiver Devin Funchess, but instead, Rivera has his sights set on a pair of veterans, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.

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Rivera announced that both Ted Ginn Jr. and Philly Brown will be the lead dogs for quarterback Cam Newton to throw to. Newton is looking to justify a five-year, $103.8 million contract extension that he signed this summer, and having Brown and Ginn as the top receivers could be a terrible problem.

Last year, Ginn played with the Arizona Cardinals and caught 14 passes for 190 yards. In the previous campaign, Ginn suited up for the Panthers and hauled in 36 receptions for 556 yards and five touchdowns. Brown is entering his second season after catching 21 passes for 296 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Brown has been atrocious throughout the exhibition season, but his rookie campaign suggests the talent of a solid player is there.

With DeAngelo Williams leaving for the Pittsburgh Steelers via free agency, Carolina is extremely limited on offense. The Panthers are going to need Newton to develop into a legitimate playmaker, something he has not been throughout his career. Carolina is the two-time defending champion of the NFC South, despite a middling 7-8-1 record.

As for Funchess, the rookie out of the University of Michigan dealt with a hamstring injury throughout a good portion of the preseason. Funchess appears to be healthy now but is going to be playing in a reserve role alongside veteran Jerricho Cotchery.