If you’re up for an interesting debate Shaq Thompson Color Rush Jersey , let’s discuss trading away Daryl Worley"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Keep Sounding PodcastPanthers 2019 NFL DraftCSR Film RoomWhich 2017 Panthers players were missed the most in 2018? - Defense and special teams editionNew,25commentsIf you’re up for an interesting debate, let’s discuss trading away Daryl WorleyESTShareTweetShareShareWhich 2017 Panthers players were missed the most in 2018? - Defense and special teams editionBob Donnan-USA TODAY SportsThe Carolina Panthers stumbled to a 7-9 record in 2018, just one year removed from a solid 2017 campaign in which they went 11-5 and made the postseason. One way to reflect on the year-over-year decline is to evaluate which players from the 2017 squad the Panthers actively chose to not bring back this year (i.e. traded or didn’t re-sign). With that in mind here is the recap of the 2017 defense and special teams players who played elsewhere in 2018 and how much (or little) the team missed them this year. DT Star LotuleleiDeparted via: Free agency. Signed 5-year, $50 million deal with the Buffalo BillsStar’s 2017 campaign was arguably his worst in Carolina with just 25 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks Kawann Short Jersey , and five quarterback hits (though his full value as a blocker-eater isn’t reflected in stats alone.) In 2018 Star signed with the Bills and had another disappointing year with a career-low 17 tackles, one tackle for loss, zero sacks, and zero quarterback hits. If Pro Football Focus grades mean anything to you, his 55.9 grade was No. 103 at his position. Final evaluation: Glad the Panthers aren’t on the hook for his 2019 cap hit of $11.5 million. S Kurt ColemanDeparted via: Cut by Panthers. Signed 3-year, $16.3 million deal with the New Orleans SaintsHe signed with the Saints in 2018 and settled in as a role player instead of an impact player. He appeared inall 16 games with nine starts but played in just 34.9 percent of New Orleans’ defensive snaps and his role decreased as the season progressed. Final evaluation: Perfectly fine veteran but won’t live up to his 2019 cap hit of $7.0 million. CB Daryl WorleyDeparted via: Traded to Eagles for Torrey SmithAfter being traded in March 2018, Worley was arrested under troubling circumstances in April and was immediately released by the Eagles. The Oakland Raiders then signed him and he began the season with a four-game suspension stemming from the arrest. But once Worley got back on the field Vernon Butler Color Rush Jersey , he was serviceable. He appeared in 11 games with nine starts. He had 33 tackles (three for losses), seven passes defended, and one interception. His PFF grade of 55.6 was No. 109 among cornerbacks. Final evaluation: Off-field issues aside, Daryl Worley would’ve been far more valuable than Torrey Smith this year and next year. K Harrison ButkerDeparted via: Signed off Panthers practice squad by the Kansas City Chiefs in September 2017The Panthers selected Butker in the seventh round of the 2017 draft on a delicious four-year, $2.4 million deal then took a calculated risk by putting him on the practice squad while continuing to roll with Graham Gano. The Chiefs plucked Butker off the practice squad and the Panthers re-upped with Gano for four years, $17 million. Final evaluation: Let’s see, Butker and Gano produce at similar levels but one gets paid seven times more than the other...PR/WR Kaelin ClayDeparted via: Free agency. Signed a 1-year Cam Newton Color Rush Jersey , $720,000 deal with the Buffalo BillsThe speedy special teamer spent only a partial season in Carolina in 2017 and returned 17 punts and three kickoffs over nine games including a spectacular 60-yard punt return touchdown in a Week 12 win against the New York Jets. His 2018 season was disappointing though as he was waived by the Bills, signed by the Giants, then went on injured reserve after returning five punts for 15 yards. Final evaluation: Plenty of other options with Damiere not saying he’d be a Pro Bowler, but any team relying on Captain Munnerlyn and Corn Elder could use all of the help it can get. Overall, Marty Hurney was right to let Lotulelei and Coleman move on, but losing Harrison Butker is a costly mistake. With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight Michael Palardy Jersey , Carolina would’ve been better off trying to develop Daryl Worley than watching Torrey Smith tumble down the depth chart. As we start to look ahead to 2019, Marty Hurney will have several big decisions about re-signing current players or letting them walk. Let’s hope he makes the right calls. Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said last Friday that early indications were that left tackle Jason Peters‘ biceps injury was a serious one and that feeling remains in place on Wednesday.Pederson said that Peters will take part in practice as they begin working toward this week’s game against the Panthers and that the team believes he will be able to play on Sunday. Peters has not missed a game this season, but a quad injury early in the year has also cost the 36-year-old some time during games.At 36, there may be other nagging injuries for Peters to deal with as the season goes on. Halipoulivaati Vaitai has replaced Peters when he’s needed medical attention.Right tackle Lane Johnson played last Thursday despite an ankle injury that made him a late addition to the injury report and Pederson said they’ll continue to monitor it this week. The coach also called defensive tackle Haloti Ngata close to returning from a calf injury and that defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan, who had back surgery in May, isn’t ready to start practicing yet.