Tag: Carolina Panthers

Panthers announce special field design, uniforms for Week 12 matchup vs. Chiefs

The Panthers are going with a special look for this weekend’s clash against the defending Super Bowl champs.

When you’re the defending Super Bowl champions, you get every team’s best shot. And it appears as though the Carolina Panthers, at the very least, will be giving the Kansas City Chiefs one of their best looks this weekend.

As announced on Friday, the Panthers are throwing back the field design for their Week 12 matchup against the visiting Chiefs. The turf at Bank of America Stadium will feature the team’s previous primary logo at midfield as well as their previous wordmark logos in the end zones.

The Panthers are currently celebrating their 30th season in the NFL. The logos that will adorn the field on Sunday were used by the franchise from 1995 to 2011.

But that’s not all!

Carolina’s old-school mentality will be accompanied by a new-school set of threads . . .

The all-black uniform combination, headlined by the fan-favorite black helmet, was first introduced back in 2022.

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Veteran Chiefs WR celebrates 28th birthday ahead of matchup vs. Panthers

See which #Chiefs veteran celebrated his 28th birthday this week ahead of Kansas City’s matchup against the Carolina #Panthers.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ receiving corps got a year older this week when veteran pass-catcher JuJu Smith-Schuster celebrated his 28th birthday on Friday, November 22.

Smith-Schuster, who played at the University of Southern California as a collegian, is in his second stint with the Chiefs and plays a crucial role in Andy Reid’s offense.

Given the serious injuries sustained by Kansas City’s receivers this season, Smith-Schuster’s presence has been crucial to the Chiefs’ 9-1 start to their 2024 campaign.

Though the former Trojan was briefly sidelined due to a hamstring injury, he is expected to play in Kansas City’s Week 12 matchup against the Carolina Panthers this weekend.

After the Chiefs saw their undefeated record dashed by the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Smith-Schuster figures to play a major part in Kansas City’s bounce-back effort against the 3-7 Panthers.

Stay tuned to see if Smith-Schuster can catch a touchdown this weekend to help lift the Chiefs to victory over Carolina.

REPORT: Chiefs DB Jaylen Watson ‘not expected’ to return this season

According to a report, #Chiefs DB Jaylen Watson is not expected to return to action this season after sustaining a serious injury in Week 6.

According to a report from the Kansas City Star’s Jesse Newell, Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson is unlikely to return to action this season after sustaining a serious injury in Week 6.

Watson had been one of the Chiefs’ best defensive weapons of the 2024 season, and paired perfectly with star cornerback Trent McDuffie in Kansas City’s shutdown secondary.

The former Washington State Cougar was initially to have potentially his best season yet before breaking his fibula and tibia in the Chiefs’ win over the San Francisco 49ers.

After his injury was confirmed, Watson underwent surgery to repair his leg and fans were given hope that the star corner would be able to return this season.

Unfortunately, on Thursday, a tweet by Newell confirmed that a return this season by Watson would be highly unlikely.

Stay tuned to see if Kansas City moves to shore up its defensive backfield in the coming weeks.

Panthers K Eddy Piñeiro injured knee in one of the most silly, but understandable ways imaginable

Panthers K Eddy Piñeiro might’ve celebrated a bit too hard after nailing a game-winning field goal in Week 10.

Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Piñeiro has had a lot to celebrate over the past few weeks. But he might have to make sure he doesn’t celebrate too hard from now on.

Piñeiro, unexpectedly, was listed as a limited participant at Thursday’s practice due to a left knee injury. He was then, in a worrisome development, put down as a non-participant for today’s session and deemed questionable for Sunday’s matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Well, turns out Piñeiro actually injured his knee in one of the most silly (but very understandable) ways imaginable.

According to head coach Dave Canales, Piñeiro tweaked the knee while celebrating his walk-off field goal against the New York Giants in Week 10. His 36-yard field goal resulted in a 20-17 overtime triumph for the Panthers and this little party on the seemingly perilous pitch of Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany . . .

That kick also helped Piñeiro become the most accurate field goal kicker in league history. He entered the bye with a success rate of 89.381 percent, which would move past the mark of Baltimore’s Justin Tucker after Tucker missed a pair of tries in Week 11.

Luckily for the Panthers, Piñeiro is still expected to play this weekend.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales: Jonathon Brooks will not be on pitch count in NFL debut

It looks like the Panthers are ready to really unleash rookie RB Jonathon Brooks in Week 12.

The Carolina Panthers seem prepared to unleash their second-round pick in Week 12.

According to head coach Dave Canales, the team will not adhere to a “pitch count” for rookie running back Jonathon Brooks—who is set to make his NFL debut in this Sunday’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 21-year-old rusher has been sidelined since tearing his ACL last November.

“Not thinking pitch count,” Canales told reporters of Brooks on Friday afternoon. “He’s gotta be ready to play a full game. If something did happen and Chuba [Hubbard] broke a shoelace and he’s gotta get that fixed for a second, JB will be ready to go.”

Brooks will presumably play the No. 2 to Hubbard, who enters the weekend as the league’s fourth-leading rusher. Hubbard is also coming off a career-high 153 rushing yards in the Week 10 win over the New York Giants.

That backup role has been taken up this season by veteran Miles Sanders. Sanders, however, has been ruled out of the contest with an ankle injury.

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Panthers Week 12 injury report: WR Adam Thielen expected to play vs. Chiefs

Panthers WR Adam Thielen is expected to make his return in Week 12.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young should have his safety net back here in Week 12.

According to head coach Dave Canales, wide receiver Adam Thielen (questionable) is expected to play in this Sunday’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 11th-year veteran, who has missed the last seven games due to a hamstring injury, led the team in receptions (103) and receiving yards (1,014) in 2023.

Canales and crew are also expecting rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (questionable) to make his NFL debut in the contest. Brooks, Carolina’s second-round selection from the 2024 draft, tore his ACL last November.

Kicker Eddy Piñeiro (questionable), per Canales, will suit up as well. Canales told reporters that Piñeiro tweaked his knee while celebrating his walk-off kick against the New York Giants in Week 10.

Here’s the week’s final injury report in its entirety:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
RB Miles Sanders Ankle DNP DNP DNP Out
G Damien Lewis Illness DNP Limited Full –
DL A’Shawn Robinson Rest DNP Full Full –
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Knee DNP Limited Full Questionable
OLB Amaré Barno Knee Limited DNP Limited Doubtful
LT Ikem Ekwonu Ankle Limited Limited Full –
CB Jaycee Horn Calf Limited Limited Limited –
DL LaBryan Ray Hand Limited Full Full Questionable
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring Limited Limited Limited Questionable
S Xavier Woods Shoulder Limited Limited Full –
OLB DJ Johnson Concussion Full Limited Full Questionable
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Full Full Full Questionable
OT Taylor Moton Rest DNP Full –
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Limited Full Questionable
K Eddy Piñeiro Left knee Limited DNP Questionable
WR Jalen Coker Quadriceps DNP Questionable

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Chiefs newcomer showed outstanding hustle on standout play vs. Bills

#Chiefs punter Matt Araiza showed outstanding hustle on this standout play against the #Bills in Week 11.

The Kansas City Chiefs saw their perfect season end on Sunday in a disappointing loss to the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.

Though the Chiefs are expected to bounce back against the Carolina Panthers in Week 12, the Kansas City Star’s Jesse Newell was still fixated on the team’s performance in Buffalo this week.

In his re-watch of the Chiefs’ Week 11 loss, Newell noticed an outstanding play by punter Matt Araiza, which was a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable defeat.

Check out this video of Araiza’s incredible effort after booting a long punt, which was posted to Twitter by Newell this week:

Araiza is in his first season with Kansas City and was signed to replace two-time Super Bowl champion Tommy Townsend on Dave Toub’s special teams unit.

Though fans generally hope they don’t have to see Araiza on the field, they can look forward to more hustle plays like this when the Chiefs travel to Carolina this weekend.

Panthers WR Adam Thielen limited in practice on Thursday

The Panthers, for the second straight day, listed WR Adam Thielen as a limited participant in practice.

Carolina Panthers wideout Adam Thielen was a limited participant for the second straight day of practice.

The 11th-year receiver, who has missed the last seven games due to a hamstring injury, is expected to make his return on Sunday—when the Panthers host the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Thielen was officially activated to the 53-man roster ahead of the team’s Week 10 win over the New York Giants.

Carolina also added a trio of players to the listing this afternoon—starting right tackle Taylor Moton (rest), outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum (quadriceps) and kicker Eddy Piñeiro (left knee). Moton was held out while Wonnum and Piñeiro were limited.

Here’s the full injury report from Thursday:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
RB Miles Sanders Ankle DNP DNP
G Damien Lewis Illness DNP Limited
DL A’Shawn Robinson Rest DNP Full
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Knee DNP Limited
OLB Amaré Barno Knee Limited DNP
LT Ikem Ekwonu Ankle Limited Limited
CB Jaycee Horn Calf Limited Limited
DL LaBryan Ray Hand Limited Full
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring Limited Limited
S Xavier Woods Shoulder Limited Limited
OLB DJ Johnson Concussion Full Limited
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Full Full
OT Taylor Moton Rest DNP
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Limited
K Eddy Piñeiro Left knee Limited

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Panthers DC Ejiro Evero: We have to ‘keep the pocket dirty’ on Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes

Panthers DC Ejiro Evero understands how daunting of a task defending Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is.

Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero certainly knows what he’s getting into when it comes to facing Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player and three-time Super Bowl champion was a hot topic of discussion during Evero’s media availability on Thursday morning. He was asked about facing Mahomes in Carolina’s upcoming Week 12 matchup against the defending champs.

“He is, obviously, a great player. One of the best players in our league,” Evero replied. “In terms of throwing the ball, keeping plays alive, playing off-schedule—he can do everything. He’s intelligent, he sees the field and there’s really no weakness to his game. So, yeah, it’s gonna be a tremendous challenge for us and we all understand that.”

Evero probably understood that rather clearly in 2022, when he matched up against Mahomes and the Chiefs on two occasions as the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator. Kansas City came out with wins in both contests, with Mahomes passing for a combined 680 yards and six touchdowns.

“We certainly gave up some explosive plays—which we would like to have back, which I would like to have back,” Evero recalled of those AFC West tilts. “But I do think it’s important that [we] try to get pressure on him, try to keep the pocket dirty around him—that’s gonna be really, really important. And so our front guys understand that they’re gonna play a big, big role in this game.”

Some of those guys played a big, big role in the Panthers’ last game—a 20-17 overtime win over the New York Giants in Week 10. Chief among the group was veteran defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson, who recorded a sack and a forced fumble.

But, uh, we’re thinking this one will be a tad tougher for Evero, Robinson and the rest of the Carolina defense, no?

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Panthers rookie RB Jonathon Brooks set to see his first action this Sunday

Panthers rookie RB Jonathon Brooks set to see his first action this Sunday after missing time with a knee injury

During the offseason for the Carolina Panthers there was a clear commitment in improving the supporting cast surrounding Bryce Young. A part of the commitment was establishing a dominant rushing attack with big time free agent offensive lineman and taking former Texas running back Jonathon Brooks early in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. After spending the beginning of the season recovering from an injury, Brooks is now set to see the NFL field for the first time.

 

A surprise for the Panthers has been the emergence of starting running back Chuba Hubbard who has been one of the most productive runners in the entire league to this point in the season. Brooks will have a chance right away to spell Hubbard and potentially serve as the third down back for the team. Given how good Carolina’s ground game is already, Brooks only serves to improve their rushing attack.

Brooks is a powerful, explosive, and balanced runner who will bring a nice change of pace to the smooth running style of Hubbard. Given the dominance of two back systems in the league, teams can expect Carolina to try and replicate the success of teams like the Detroit Lions with their multiple elite running backs.