Funchess hauled in seven of nine targets for 70 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 33-30 road upset of the Patriots.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess finally took advantage of his bigger role with tight end Greg Olsen (foot) sidelined, burning the porous New England secondary for his first two touchdowns of the season. The third-year wideout also topped four receptions for just the second time in his career, rewarding owners that looked his way in this favorable matchup. Funchess will continue to start in two-receiver sets opposite Kelvin Benjamin, but his play up to this point suggests performances like this one aren't likely to come by often.

Funchess caught four of 10 targets for 58 yards in Sunday's 34-13 loss to the Saints.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess' career-high 10 looks came as a result of top wideout Kelvin Benjamin (knee) being forced to exit during the first half. Depending on Benjamin's prognosis, Funchess could quickly find himself as Carolina's No. 1 option in the passing game, as tight end Greg Olsen (foot) landed on injured reserve following Week 2. Rookie tailback Christian McCaffrey led the Panthers with over 100 receiving yards Sunday and should remain a prominent figure going forward, but it seems Funchess could continue to move up the pecking order as well.

Funchess brought in four of seven targets for 68 yards in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Bills.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess turned out to be Cam Newton's second-most targeted receiver of the afternoon, checking in behind only No. 1 wideout Kelvin Benjamin in both targets and receptions. The third-year pro has been a serviceable complementary option over his first pair of pro campaigns (54 receptions for 844 yards and nine touchdowns across 31 games), and given his new role as the Panthers' No. 2 pass catcher, he could be in line for career-best numbers across the board in 2017. He'll look to build on his solid Week 2 effort versus the Saints at home in Week 3.

Funchess caught both his targets for 20 yards in Sunday's season opener versus the 49ers.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess actually led Carolina's receivers by featuring for 67 percent of the offensive snaps, but his production level was around what's become expected of him. The third-year pro has proven capable of moving the sticks on occasion, but has only fallen further down the pecking order for targets following the addition of Christian McCaffrey to mainstays Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen this season.

Funchess caught two passes for 21 yards on two targets in Thursday's preseason game against Jacksonville.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess seems to be locked in as the starter opposite Kelvin Benjamin, but the third-year pro doesn't figure to have a high-volume role while playing in an offense reliant on Benjamin and Greg Olsen, not to mention the triple rushing threat provided by Cam Newton, Jonathan Stewart and Christian McCaffrey. Unimpressive thus far, Funchess has hauled in four of six targets for only 33 yards through three preseason games, losing a fumble along the way.

Funchess caught just 1-of-3 passes for eight yards and lost a fumble in Saturday's preseason Week 2 loss to the Titans.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess coughed up the football on his team's first play from scrimmage, setting the tone for a disastrous first quarter in which Carolina managed just 39 yards and was outscored 17-0. He failed to grab either of his two subsequent targets, finishing with fewer receiving yards than six teammates. The 2015 second-rounder continues to serve as the starter opposite Kelvin Benjamin, but he's done little to earn that role so far.

Funchess is listed as the starter across from Kelvin Benjamin on the Panthers' unofficial depth chart for Wednesday's preseason game against Houston, ESPN's David Newton reports.

EDGE Analysis

Unimpressive through two seasons, the 2015 second-round selection received public votes of confidence from team brass this summer, though Carolina's offseason transactions tell another story. Funchess may be the favorite to enter Week 1 as the team's No. 2 receiver, but he'll still have to fend off Russell Shepard and second-round rookie Curtis Samuel (hamstring) for playing time in an offense that hasn't relied on three-wide sets nearly as often as the average team in today's NFL.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera and GM Dave Gettleman both said the team should have used Funchess (ankle) more last season, Bill Voth of Panthers.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess didn't exactly make a strong case for a larger workload last season when he hauled in only 23 of 59 targets (39 percent) in 15 games, though he did produce 16.1 yards per catch and four touchdowns. He's still the favorite for the No. 2 wideout job, but the Panthers probably wouldn't have used their first two draft picks on pass-catching back Christian McCaffrey and slot receiver Curtis Samuel if they had confidence Funchess -- a 2015 second-round selection -- were about to emerge as a major weapon. Part of the problem may be that Funchess' skill set is somewhat redundant alongside Kelvin Benjamin, as neither offers much speed and both are among the league's largest wide receivers. Funchess suffered a minor ankle injury during the offseason program, but he participated in mandatory minicamp in mid-June and should be at full health for training camp.

Funchess (ankle) is not participating in Thursday's OTA session, Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess, who was carted off the field during Wednesday's practice, will be sidelined until at least Tuesday when the team returns to OTAs. The severity of the ankle injury is still unclear, but the Panthers won't risk the long-term health of their No. 2 receiver.

Funchess was carted off the field during after suffering an ankle injury during Wednesday's practice, ESPN's David Newton reports.

EDGE Analysis

The severity of Funchess' injury isn't clear, but it's not a good sign that he needed to be carted off the field. Look for his status to be updated in the coming days.