Falcons CB Mike Hughes ruled out for game vs. Panthers

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes has been ruled out against the Panthers due to a shoulder injury

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter of Sunday’s matchup against the Carolina Panthers and has been ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Hughes previously left the game in the first quarter to be evaluated for a head injury but came back shortly after. The former first-round pick has been solid as the No. 2 cornerback for Atlanta this season and will be a free agent this offseason.

The Falcons were tied with the Panthers at 3-3 when Hughes went down with his second injury of the outing. They’ll need to hold strong in this contest, as well as get some help from the rival Saints to make it to the postseason.

The Panthers have since taken a 10-3 lead over the Falcons late in the second quarter.

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Watch: Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. rifles pass to KhaDarel Hodge

WATCH: Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. rifles pass to KhaDarel Hodge between multiple Panthers defenders

The Falcons offense moved the ball well on their opening drive against the Carolina Panthers. While they were forced to settle for a field goal, the offense has operated much better with rookie Michael Penix Jr. under center.

Early in the drive, Penix rifled a pass between multiple Panthers defenders to wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, who made an acrobatic catch on the sideline while keeping his feet inbounds.

Watch Hodge’s catch below, as shared by the team’s social media account.

The Falcons and Panthers are tied, 3-3, as the first quarter winds down in Atlanta.

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Panthers Week 18 inactives: G Robert Hunt’s season-long streak to end

Panthers G Robert Hunt has played in every one of Carolina’s 967 offensive snaps this season. But that streak will end today.

Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn won’t be finishing his first Pro Bowl campaign on the field.

Horn, who was ruled out of this afternoon’s regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday due to a hip injury, is one of seven inactive players for the Panthers here in Week 18. The fourth-year defender also missed last week’s 48-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Panthers will also be without starting inside linebacker Josey Jewell (concussion) for a second straight outing.

In somewhat of a surprise, the offense won’t have starting right guard Robert Hunt in the lineup for the first time this season. Hunt, who has played every offensive snap (967) for Carolina, was listed as questionable with a knee injury entering the weekend.

Second-year lineman Chandler Zavala will get the start in Hunt’s place.

Here’s the full list of inactives for the Panthers today:

  • CB Jaycee Horn
  • G Robert Hunt
  • ILB Josey Jewell
  • S Lonnie Johnson Jr.
  • RB Velus Jones Jr.
  • QB Jack Plummer (emergency QB)
  • WR Deven Thompkins

And for the host Falcons:

  • ILB JD Bertrand
  • DL Brandon Dorlus
  • CB Kevin King
  • WR Darnell Mooney
  • OT Brandon Parker
  • OL Elijah Wilkinson

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Panthers activate RB Miles Sanders, announce 4 other roster moves for Week 18

The Panthers are getting a much-needed boost at the running back position.

The Carolina Panthers are getting a much-needed boost in their backfield for Week 18.

As announced this afternoon, the team has activated running back Miles Sanders from injured reserve ahead of tomorrow’s regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons. The sixth-year veteran, who was designated to return to practice earlier in the week, has missed the last six games due to an ankle sprain.

Sanders last played in the Panthers’ Week 10 win over the New York Giants from Munich’s Allianz Arena. Over his 10 appearances in 2024, he’s rushed for 139 yards and a touchdown on 38 carries.

Carolina’s 48-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the first outing after starting running back Chuba Hubbard’s placement on season-ending injured reserve, yielded a season-low 39 rushing yards. Return specialist Raheem Blackshear led the team with 20 rushing yards on eight attempts.

The Panthers also elevated outside linebackers Thomas Incoom and Kenny Dyson for Sunday’s contest. Fellow outside linebacker DJ Johnson, who sustained a concussion in a car accident on Thursday, will not be available.

Johnson will be joined on the shelf by another outside ‘backer in Amaré Barno, who was placed on injured reserve as part of today’s moves. Carolina signed defensive lineman DeShawn Williams from their practice squad to fill Barno’s void.

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Panthers are wearing this uniform combo for the first time since 1998 . . .

The Panthers are breaking out a uniform combo that hasn’t been seen since the Clinton Administration.

The Carolina Panthers are partying like it’s 1998 to close out their 2024 campaign.

As announced on Friday, the team will be wearing their silver helmets, white jerseys, silver pants and white socks for their regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons. And as first noted by Panthers long snapper JJ Jansen, Sunday will mark the first time they’ll be rolling out that very combination in 26 years . . .

That 1998 visit to Indianapolis ended up as a victorious one for Carolina. The Panthers—powered by a pair of 100-yard performances from running back Tim Biakabutuka and wide receiver Raghib “Rocket” Ismail—bested Peyton Manning, Marshall Faulk and the Colts for a 27-19 win.

Carolina’s triumph also saw three-time First-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler Michael Bates return a kickoff for a 99-yard touchdown—now the fifth-longest kickoff return in franchise history.

So maybe, just maybe, there’s something to this rare uniform combo . . .

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Are Bucs in NFL playoffs? What needs to happen for TB to make postseason

But with the Bucs not being in the playoffs yet, how much is at stake in their Week 18 matchup?

In less than 24 hours, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will kick off against their division rival, the New Orleans Saints. That game is one where the Bucs can control their own destiny with a win, a loss would require them to root for other teams to have specific outcomes.

But with the Bucs not being in the playoffs yet, how much is at stake in their Week 18 matchup?

We talked about how they can control their own destiny, and it is very matter-of-fact. A win secures them the NFC South and the fourth seed at minimum in the NFC Playoffs. A loss would mean they need the Atlanta Falcons to lose to the Carolina Panthers, which isn’t likely.

It is almost win or go home for the Bucs. They fought tooth and nail to come back from a 4-6 start to the season. Now they are just 60 minutes away from securing their fourth straight NFC South division title.

Panthers HC Dave Canales: OLB DJ Johnson involved in car accident

Panthers HC Dave Canales told reporters on Friday that OLB DJ Johnson was involved in a car accident this week. He will not play on Sunday.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales told reporters on Friday that outside linebacker DJ Johnson was involved in a car accident this week.

Canales was asked about the second-year defender’s sudden inclusion on this week’s injury report, which listed Johnson as out for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons due to a personal matter.

“It was a car accident,” Canales stated this afternoon. “That’s pretty much what I know about it. But enough to the point where he’s in evaluation right now.”

He was then asked about Johnson’s current condition.

“I have not seen him,” replied Canales, who also added that Johnson’s accident was not life-threatening.

Johnson was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.

He has appeared in 14 games this season.

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Panthers Week 18 injury report: 2 key defensive starters out vs. Falcons

The Panthers will once again be without CB Jaycee Horn and ILB Josey Jewell.

Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn will not be finishing out his Pro Bowl campaign.

Horn, who was officially named to his first Pro Bowl Games yesterday morning, has been ruled out for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons due to his hip injury. The fourth-year defender also missed last week’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Inside linebacker Josey Jewell will also sit out of this weekend’s contest with a concussion. Like Horn, Jewell did not suit up for Week 17’s trip to Raymond James Stadium.

Here’s the full injury report from Friday:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
OLB Amaré Barno Shoulder DNP DNP DNP Out
CB Jaycee Horn Hip DNP DNP DNP Out
G Robert Hunt Knee DNP Limited DNP Questionable
ILB Josey Jewell Concussion DNP DNP DNP Out
S Lonnie Johnson Jr. Shoulder/neck DNP DNP DNP Out
CB Mike Jackson Rest DNP Full Full
DL A’Shawn Robinson Neck DNP DNP Limited Questionable
OLB D.J. Wonnum Rest DNP Limited Full
OT Taylor Moton Knee Limited DNP Limited Questionable
RB Miles Sanders Ankle Full Limited Full Questionable
WR Xavier Legette Hip/wrist Full Limited Limited Questionable
S Nick Scott Illness DNP Full Full
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Rest DNP Full
OLB DJ Johnson Personal DNP Out

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Panthers G Robert Hunt plans to make a bit of franchise history in Week 18 with Guardian Cap

Panthers G Robert Hunt told reporters that he plans on trying out the Guardian Cap to close out the 2024 season.

Carolina Panthers starting right guard Robert Hunt is set to make a bit of franchise history to close out the 2024 campaign.

Hunt, after Thursday’s practice, told reporters that he will be wearing a Guardian Cap for this weekend’s regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons. If he follows through with his plans, the fifth-year hog molly would be the first Panther to ever don the new headgear.

The Guardian Cap, which has been introduced into the NFL here in 2024, is a cover of soft-shelled pads won over the helmet. The objective of the cap is, of course, to reduce the severity of impact to the head.

Hunt, who was named a second Pro Bowl alternate earlier in the day, has played in each of Carolina’s 967 offensive snaps this season.

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