Tag: D.J. Wonnum

Panthers OLB D.J. Wonnum could be key piece in season’s final strech

It may have taken longer than expected, but D.J. Wonnum’s Panthers debut was mighty impressive.

The Carolina Panthers have needed a jolt on defense seemingly all season long. And fortunately for them, they finally got one—in Week 10 out of Munich, Germany.

That jolt came in the form of a returning D.J. Wonnum, who was sidelined for the first nine weeks of the campaign due to complications from a quadriceps tear. The fifth-year outside linebacker hit a spark in his team debut, accounting for one of two sacks and five of 17 pressures in Carolina’s 20-17 win over the New York Giants.

And Wonnum’s clutch return had special meaning beyond the numbers. His performance was a justification of sorts, as he made an immediate impact following a frustrating and serious string of setbacks.

Now, he’s an important piece of the puzzle for defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and his unit as they try to finish up the final stretch of the season on a strong note.

We saw that last week, when Wonnum was allowed to tee off against the New York’s offensive tackles.

Here, he does his job as the force defender with a good collision against the pulling right tackle. He then works underneath the lineman’s shoulder with hip and ankle flexion to create pressure.

Here’s another example of Wonnum’s value as a pass rusher.

Check out the hesitation to stall the left tackle’s feet, similar to how a wide receiver may get a press-man corner’s feet stopped on split releases. This allows him to attack the outside shoulder with effort, power and explosion.

Wonnum’s sack against Giants quarterback Daniel Jones set the tone and brought a lot of energy to the Panthers defense for the rest of the game.

Wonnum, like he did in his first four seasons as a Minnesota Viking, flashed some value as a run defender as well. The combination of above-average reach, explosion and speed-to-power has shown to be effective against ground attacks.

Here, Wonnum shows adequate power and explosiveness to collide with the pulling right guard, squeeze his gap and secure a stop:

While this showing did come against one of the weaker offensive fronts in football, it gave us a glimpse into what Wonnum can become. He still has plenty to prove in Carolina, but his progression—as evidenced by his final year in Minnesota—is real.

As crazy as it sounds, the Panthers aren’t completely out of playoff contention—even at 3-7. They’re just 2.5 games behind the NFC South lead with seven games remaining.

If they are able to somehow make a run, we could look back at Wonnum’s debut as a turning point for the Panthers and their defense.

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Panthers OLB Amaré Barno designated to return to practice

The Panthers have opened up the practice window for OLB Amaré Barno.

The Carolina Panthers may be getting back even more firepower off the edge.

As announced by the team on Monday morning, outside linebacker Amaré Barno has been designated to return to practice. The 25-year-old defender, who tore his ACL in last year’s Week 16 loss to the Green Bay Packers, has been on the physically unable to perform list since the start of the regular season.

Barno was selected by the Panthers in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft. The Blythewood, S.C. native has since gone on to appear in 24 games for the Panthers, amassing 30 combined tackles (three for a loss) and 2.0 sacks.

The Panthers, who have been struggling to maintain a consistent rotation of pass rushers in 2024, just got outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum back from his quad injury. Wonnum made his team debut in the Week 10 win over the New York Giants, where he recorded six tackles and a sack.

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Panthers announce 4 roster moves ahead of Week 10 matchup vs. Giants

The Panthers activated a pair of players from injured reserve and called up two more from the practice squad on Saturday.

The Carolina Panthers have a few more notable defenders at the ready for this weekend’s showdown in Munich, Germany.

On Saturday, the team officially activated outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum and safety Jordan Fuller to the 53-man roster. Both will be eligible to play in tomorrow’s Week 10 matchup against the New York Giants.

Wonnum, who signed a two-year deal with Carolina in the spring, may now be in line to make his team debut. The 27-year-old pass rusher tore his quadricep last December as a member of the Minnesota Vikings and has remained sidelined due to numerous setbacks stemming from the injury.

Before the tear, Wonnum tied his career-high in sacks (8.0) through 15 games in 2023.

Fuller, another one of the Panthers’ free-agent signees from this past offseason, has missed the last six games due to a hamstring injury. He recorded 15 tackles over three starts between Weeks 1 and 3.

The Panthers also elevated wide receiver Deven Thompkins and cornerback Caleb Farley from the practice squad. This game will mark Thompkins’ second call-up and Farley’s third.

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Panthers Week 10 injury report: 2 key offensive starters out vs. Giants

The Panthers, as expected, will be without a few notable names on offense in Week 10.

As expected, the Carolina Panthers will be without a few key offensive pieces in Munich, Germany this weekend.

Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu and wide receiver Adam Thielen, both of whom were listed as non-participants in practice all week, have been ruled out of Sunday’s matchup against the New York Giants. Ekwonu (ankle) will miss his second straight contest while Thielen (hamstring) will miss his seventh.

Fourth-year offensive lineman Brady Christensen, as he did in the Week 9 win over the New Orleans Saints, will get the start on the blindside in place of Ekwonu.

Thielen, meanwhile, has until Wednesday to be activated to the main roster.

Here’s Friday’s injury report in full:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Rest/knee DNP Full Full Questionable
LT Ikem Ekwonu Ankle DNP DNP DNP Out
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out
DL DeShawn Williams Illness DNP Full Full –
DL A’Shawn Robinson Rest DNP Full – –
RB Chuba Hubbard Rest DNP Full – –
ILB Josey Jewell Rest DNP Limited Full –
S Xavier Woods Rest/shoulder DNP Limited Full –
CB Jaycee Horn Rest DNP Full – –
S Jammie Robinson Knee Limited Limited Limited Doubtful
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Full Full Full Questionable
DL Jaden Crumedy Ankle Full Full Full –
S Jordan Fuller Hamstring Full Full Full Questionable
TE Feleipe Franks Concussion Full Full Full –
TE Tommy Tremble Back Full Limited Full Questionable
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Full Full Full Questionable
CB Lonnie Johnson Quadriceps Full Limited Full Questionable
OT Taylor Moton Rest DNP – –
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders Wrist/ankle Limited Full –

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Panthers’ Adam Thielen, Ikem Ekwonu held out from practice again on Thursday

Both WR Adam Thielen and LT Ikem Ekwonu were held out for the second straight practice session.

The Carolina Panthers were still without two notable names on offense this afternoon.

Wide receiver Adam Thielen and left tackle Ikem Ekwonu were both held out of practice for the second straight outing. Thielen hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring in Week 3 while Ekwonu, who missed his first NFL game this past Sunday, is dealing with an ankle issue.

If Ekwonu cannot go, fourth-year offensive lineman Brady Christensen is expected to get the start on the blindside against the New York Giants this weekend.

Here’s the full injury report from Thursday:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Rest/knee DNP Full
LT Ikem Ekwonu Ankle DNP DNP
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring DNP DNP
DL DeShawn Williams Illness DNP Full
DL A’Shawn Robinson Rest DNP Full
RB Chuba Hubbard Rest DNP Full
ILB Josey Jewell Rest DNP Limited
S Xavier Woods Rest/shoulder DNP Limited
CB Jaycee Horn Rest DNP Full
S Jammie Robinson Knee Limited Limited
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Full Full
DL Jaden Crumedy Ankle Full Full
S Jordan Fuller Hamstring Full Full
TE Feleipe Franks Concussion Full Full
TE Tommy Tremble Back Full Limited
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Full Full
CB Lonnie Johnson Quadriceps Full Limited
OT Taylor Moton Rest DNP
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders Wrist/ankle Limited

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Panthers activating RB Jonathon Brooks, DL Jaden Crumedy to roster

Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks, who tore his ACL almost exactly one year ago, is officially on an active NFL roster.

The Carolina Panthers officially have their 2024 second-round pick at their disposal.

As announced on Wednesday, the team has moved running back Jonathon Brooks to their active roster. Carolina had until 4 p.m. ET today to activate the 21-year-old rookie, who began the regular season on the reserve/non-football injury list.

Brooks tore his ACL on Nov. 11, 2023, while still playing for the University of Texas Longhorns. Although he was expecting to be healthy by training camp, the 46th overall selection did not end up participating in offseason workouts.

Head coach Dave Canales spoke about activating Brooks, as well as fellow rookie and defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy, following this afternoon’s practice.

“We’ll bring Crum and Brooks onto the team,” he told reporters. “We still gotta evaluate today, tomorrow as far as if they’re up or not for the game. We’ll make that decision later on in the week, but we will expect those guys to be on the team.”

Canales also touched on the possibility of outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum suiting up soon.

“Wonnum is really close,” he said. “I feel pretty good about him. Again, I think he’s in a position where tomorrow will be a full-steam practice all the way throughout. So that’ll give him a real good sense of if he’s ready to handle the challenge of a full game.

“But I’m encouraged by what he’s done in the last two weeks. So, I think, with a solid day tomorrow, that can be another guy that can show up for us.”

Wonnum, who signed a two-year deal with Carolina this past spring, has yet to play this season due to his recovery from a quadriceps tear.

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Panthers hold out 9 players from Wednesday’s practice

Panthers LT Ikem Ekwonu, who did not play in Week 9, was not a participant for Wednesday’s practice.

The Carolina Panthers listed nine players as non-participants from Wednesday’s practice.

Headlining the group, which included six players with “rest” designations, was left tackle Ikem Ekwonu—who missed the first game of his NFL career in Week 9 due to an ankle injury. Fourth-year lineman Brady Christensen, in turn, got the starting nod on the blindside and would be expected to fill in again if Ekwonu cannot play versus the New York Giants.

Here’s the full injury report from the afternoon:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Rest/knee DNP
LT Ikem Ekwonu Ankle DNP
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring DNP
DL DeShawn Williams Illness DNP
DL A’Shawn Robinson Rest DNP
RB Chuba Hubbard Rest DNP
ILB Josey Jewell Rest DNP
S Xavier Woods Rest/shoulder DNP
CB Jaycee Horn Rest DNP
S Jammie Robinson Knee Limited
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Full
DL Jaden Crumedy Ankle Full
S Jordan Fuller Hamstring Full
TE Feleipe Franks Concussion Full
TE Tommy Tremble Back Full
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Full
CB Lonnie Johnson Quadriceps Full

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Panthers announce 3 moves ahead of Week 9 matchup vs. Saints

The Panthers called up some depth for tomorrow’s matchup against the Saints.

The Carolina Panthers made a few adjustments before tomorrow’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

As announced on Saturday afternoon, the team has signed tight end Jordan Matthews to the active roster. The 32-year-old was in his second stint on Carolina’s practice squad this season.

Matthews was the Panthers’ second-leading receiver during preseason play, where he amassed 68 yards and a touchdown on seven catches.

He’ll provide some depth at the tight end position for the NFC South showdown with Tommy Tremble (back) listed as questionable and Feleipe Franks (concussion) already out.

The Panthers also elevated wide receiver Deven Thompkins and cornerback Caleb Farley from the practice squad. Sunday will mark the first elevation for Thompkins and the second for Farley, who recorded six snaps on defense and five on special teams in last Sunday’s 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos.

In addition, the team downgraded running back Jonathon Brooks (knee), wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring), defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy (ankle), outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum (quadriceps) and safety Jordan Fuller (hamstring) to out for the contest.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales provides injury updates on Jonathon Brooks, Adam Thielen

Panthers HC Dave Canales offered updates on the progress of RB Jonathon Brooks, WR Adam Thielen and OLB D.J. Wonnum heading into Week 9.

The Carolina Panthers will probably be without a few notable names on offense this Sunday.

Friday’s injury report for the team’s Week 9 contest against the New Orleans Saints already lists starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu as out due to ankle issue. In addition, wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) and rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) have been designated as doubtful and questionable, respectively.

Head coach Dave Canales provided a bit more context on Thielen and Brooks—as well as outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum, who is recovering from his offseason quadriceps surgeries.

“The guys stacked really solid weeks,” Canales stated this afternoon. “We’re gathering all that information. And we’ll go through this weekend probably without those guys—we’re talkin’ about Brooks, we’re talkin’ about Wonnum, we’re talkin’ about Thielen.

“So guys that are certainly trending towards where we know where they can help us. But wanna be completely sure for the guys and for the team.”

Brooks has until Nov. 6 to be activated to the roster while Thielen has until Nov. 13.

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Panthers Week 9 injury report: LT Ikem Ekwonu, 2 others out vs. Saints

Panthers QB Bryce Young won’t have his starting LT on his blindside in Week 9.

The Carolina Panthers and quarterback Bryce Young will be without their starting left tackle on Sunday.

Third-year offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu has been ruled out of the team’s Week 9 contest against the New Orleans Saints. Ekwonu was a non-participant in practice throughout the entire week due to an ankle injury.

Head coach Dave Canales told reporters that Brady Christensen will get the start at left tackle in place of Ekwonu. Cade Mays will, in turn, take over at center for Christensen.

Carolina has also ruled out tight end Feleipe Franks (concussion) and safety Jammie Robinson (knee).

Here’s the full injury report heading into the weekend:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Rest DNP Full – –
LT Ikem Ekwonu Ankle DNP DNP DNP Out
TE Feleipe Franks Concussion DNP DNP DNP Out
ILB Josey Jewell Rest DNP Full – –
OLB DJ Johnson Ankle DNP Limited Limited Questionable
DL A’Shawn Robinson Rest DNP Full – –
S Jammie Robinson Knee DNP DNP DNP Out
TE Tommy Tremble Back DNP Limited Full Questionable
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring Limited Limited DNP Doubtful
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Full Full Full Questionable
DL Jaden Crumedy Ankle Full Full Full Doubtful
QB Andy Dalton Right thumb Full Full Full –
S Jordan Fuller Hamstring Full Full Full Doubtful
OT Yosh Nijman Knee Full Full Full –
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Full Full Full Questionable
OT Taylor Moton Rest DNP Full –
WR Xavier Legette Toe Limited Limited Questionable

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