The Panthers will play their last game of the 2020 season the same as they have all year: missing important pieces on both sides of the ball.
Here is our first look at the team’s Week 17 injury report.
| Player | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Status |
| DE Brian Burns | Shoulder | DNP | |||
| RB Christian McCaffrey | Thigh | DNP | |||
| RB Mike Davis | Ankle | DNP | |||
| WR Robby Anderson | Groin | DNP | |||
| OT Russell Okung | Calf | DNP | |||
| CB Troy Pride Jr. | Hip | DNP | |||
| G John Miller | Shoulder | DNP | |||
| FB Alex Armah | Thigh | Limited | |||
| DE Efe Obada | Shoulder | Limited | |||
| DE Yetur Gross-Matos | Shoulder | Full | |||
| DE Marquis Haynes | Shoulder | Full | |||
| DB Natrell Jamerson | Hip | Full | |||
| DE Austin Larkin | Shoulder | Full |
Coach Matt Rhule has already said he doesn’t expect McCaffrey to play against the Saints. Ordinarily that would mean another start for Davis, but Rhule says he’ll likely be out, as well. So, Trenton Cannon or Rodney Smith might wind up being RB1 this week. However, wide receiver Curtis Samuel was the team’s most effective rusher in Sunday’s win over Washington.
It was probably not a great idea to play Burns in Week 16 given how important he is for this franchise. After being listed as questionable right up until the laste minute, he played a relatively limited snap count and suffered a couple of shoulder stingers. It might be wise to sit him this last game and let Marquis Haynes go again.
If Okung is ruled out again (again) we may see Matt Kaskey get some time at left tackle given how much Michael Schofield struggled.
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