The Detroit Lions (4-5) Week 11 opponent, the Carolina Panthers (3-7), have released their injury designations ahead of Sunday’s game. The Panthers will be without All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, while seven other starters are listed Doubtful/Questionable, including quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Here’s a look at the Panther’s full injury designations list.
Injury status
| Player | Position | Injury | Designation |
| Teddy Bridgewater | QB (starter) | MCL | Questionable |
| Christian McCaffrey | RB (starter) | Shoulder | OUT |
| Mike Davis | RB | Thumb | No Designation |
| Russell Okung | LT (starter) | Calf | Doubtful |
| John Miller | RG (starter) | Knee/Ankle | Doubtful |
| Chris Manhertz | TE | Shoulder | Questionable |
| Yetur Gross-Matos | DE (starter) | Shoulder | Questionable |
| Marquis Haynes | DE | Shoulder | Questionable |
| Tahir Whitehead | LB (starter) | Rib | Questionable |
| Donte Jackson | CB (starter) | Toe | Doubtful |
| Rasul Douglas | CB (starter) | Ankle | Questionable |
| Sam Franklin | S | Ankle | Questionable |
McCaffrey being out is obviously a huge loss and something most have been anticipating all week. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by Mike Davis, who was dealing with a thumb injury at the beginning of the week but does not carry an injury designation into this game.
Bridgewater is the biggest question mark surrounding this team. He did next to nothing on Wednesday and Thursday, but got in some work on Friday, leading to coach Matt Rhule calling him a game-time decision. Our brother site Panthers Wire is less optimistic, saying that their “best guess is that Bridgewater’s limited participation this week is a smokescreen and we will be seeing either P.J. Walker or Will Grier under center.” Rhule declined to say who would start if Bridgewater was unable.
Okung and Miller being listed as doubtful is also an underrated blow to this offense, as it’s not totally clear who will replace them in the starting lineup. Dennis Daley, Greg Little, and Trent Scott have all got shots at left tackle, while Daley or Michael Schofield could be in the mix at right guard. Any which way, losing their top two offensive linemen could be problematic.
On defense, most of the players listed above are expected to play, except for starting corner Donte Jackson, who will likely be replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Troy Pride Jr. a fourth-round pick out of Notre Dame. Like most rookie corners, Pride has struggled this season, potentially creating an opportunity for the Lions, despite their banged-up receiving corps.