Tag: Damien Lewis

Panthers Week 5 injury report: 3 players ruled out vs. Bears

The Panthers have ruled out three players ahead of Sunday’s visit to Chicago.

As expected, the Carolina Panthers have ruled out starting middle linebackers Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell from their Week 5 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Thompson will miss the remainder of the campaign with a torn Achilles tendon while Jewell has been sidelined with hamstring and groin injuries.

2024 third-round pick and rookie ‘backer Trevin Wallace is in line to get his first career start in the middle of Carolina’s defense. Veterans Claudin Cherelus and Chandler Wooten, who was promoted to the active roster on Tuesday, should also help fill in for Thompson and Jewell.

In addition, head coach Dave Canales told reporters following today’s practice that all players who have been listed as questionable are likely to play.

Here’s the full injury report from Friday:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
LB Josey Jewell Hamstring/groin DNP DNP DNP Out
LB Shaq Thompson Achilles DNP DNP DNP Out
WR Diontae Johnson Ankle DNP Limited Limited –
OLB Charles Harris Shoulder Limited Limited Full Questionable
G Robert Hunt Hip Limited Limited Limited Questionable
G Damien Lewis Elbow Limited Limited Full –
S Nick Scott Shoulder Limited Limited Limited –
DL Shy Tuttle Foot Limited Limited Limited Questionable
S Nick Scott Quadriceps Limited Limited Limited –
CB Lonnie Johnson Hip Full Limited Limited –
C Andrew Raym Concussion Limited DNP DNP Out
TE Ian Thomas Calf Limited Limited Limited Questionable
CB Dane Jackson Hamstring Limited Limited Limited Questionable
RB Miles Sanders Illness DNP Full –
WR Jalen Coker Foot DNP Full Questionable
TE Tommy Tremble Knee DNP Limited –
OT Taylor Moton Rest DNP Full –

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Panthers add 4 players to Week 5 injury report on Thursday

The injury report got a bit crowded for the Panthers this afternoon.

The Carolina Panthers’ injury report got a little more crowded on Thursday.

Four new players have been added to the Week 5 listing, all of whom did not participate in this afternoon’s practice. Those Panthers include running back Miles Sanders (illness), rookie wide receiver Jalen Coker (foot), tight end Tommy Tremble (knee) and starting right tackle Taylor Moton (rest).

In a bit of positive news, leading pass catcher Diontae Johnson returned to practice after missing Wednesday’s outing. He was a limited participant.

Here’s Thursday’s injury report in full:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
LB Josey Jewell Hamstring/groin DNP DNP
LB Shaq Thompson Achilles DNP DNP
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Rest DNP Full
WR Diontae Johnson Ankle DNP Limited
CB Troy Hill Rest DNP Full
DL A’Shawn Robinson Rest DNP Full
OLB Charles Harris Shoulder Limited Limited
G Robert Hunt Hip Limited Limited
G Damien Lewis Elbow Limited Limited
S Nick Scott Shoulder Limited Limited
DL Shy Tuttle Foot Limited Limited
S Nick Scott Quadriceps Limited Limited
CB Lonnie Johnson Hip Full Limited
C Andrew Raym Concussion Limited DNP
TE Ian Thomas Calf Limited Limited
CB Dane Jackson Hamstring Limited Limited
RB Miles Sanders Illness DNP
WR Jalen Coker Foot DNP
TE Tommy Tremble Knee DNP
OT Taylor Moton Rest DNP

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Panthers WR Diontae Johnson misses Wednesday’s practice with new injury

LG Damien Lewis and NT Shy Tuttle returned to practice for the Panthers. But WR Diontae Johnson was out with an ankle injury.

The Carolina Panthers welcomed a handful of players back to the practice field to kick off Week 5.

Among those in session on Wednesday included starting left guard Damien Lewis and starting nose tackle Shy Tuttle, both of whom sat out from this past Sunday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Lewis missed his first game of the season with his UCL tear while Tuttle missed his second due to a foot issue.

Joining the two were tight end Ian Thomas and cornerback Dane Jackson. Thomas and Jackson were officially designated to return to practice from injured reserve this morning and will have 21 days to be activated to the main roster.

There was, however, some discouraging news—as wide receiver Diontae Johnson was sidelined due to an ankle injury. Johnson, the team’s leading pass catcher, was dealing with a groin strain last week.

Here’s Wednesday’s full injury report:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
LB Josey Jewell Hamstring/groin DNP
LB Shaq Thompson Achilles DNP
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Rest DNP
WR Diontae Johnson Ankle DNP
CB Troy Hill Rest DNP
DL A’Shawn Robinson Rest DNP
OLB Charles Harris Shoulder Limited
G Robert Hunt Hip Limited
G Damien Lewis Elbow Limited
S Nick Scott Shoulder Limited
DL Shy Tuttle Foot Limited
S Nick Scott Quadriceps Limited
CB Lonnie Johnson Hip Full
C Andrew Raym Head Limited

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Biggest storylines for Panthers vs. Bengals in Week 4

Panthers QB Andy Dalton will have the chance to scratch his former team quite deeply on Sunday.

Bank of America Stadium will play host to a rather intriguing cat fight on Sunday.

The 0-3 Cincinnati Bengals, an AFC favorite just a few short weeks ago, are attempting to save their season while the 1-2 Carolina Panthers, who faced very little expectations, have seemingly just revived theirs.

So as the claws get closer to coming out, let’s look at the biggest storylines heading into this Week 4 matchup . . .

Cool Cat

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Carolina’s aforementioned revival was sparked by quarterback Andy Dalton, who made his first start since replacing 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. The 14th-year veteran kickstarted the offense in a cool and collected performance—as he completed 26 of his 37 throws for 319 yards, three touchdowns and no turnovers.

Dalton’s veteran presence brought some much-needed stability under center, where the 23-year-old Young faltered to begin his sophomore campaign. The Panthers, for the first time since 2022, hit the 400-yard mark while successfully converting five third-down tries—three more than the unit amassed in Young’s two starts combined.

Will Dalton be able to keep the offense and the good vibes going?

Oh! And you may have heard this a time or two over the past few days, but Dalton kinda sorta played for the Bengals earlier in his NFL career. So, yeah, that seems somewhat pertinent as well.

Scratched

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Much of Dalton’s success min Week 3 can be attributed to his offensive line, which has been one of the league’s most reliable in pass protection thus far. (Didn’t think you’d be reading that about a Carolina Panthers offensive line, did you?)

The group, however, will be without starting left guard Damien Lewis—who will sit out due to his UCL tear. Lewis, like his fellow hog mollies, has shined to start the season—as his 80.9 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus ranks sixth amongst all guards.

There’s also a chance that Carolina may not have starting right guard Robert Hunt either. Hunt did not finish practice on Friday due to a hip injury and is listed as questionable.

Second-year lineman and 2024 fourth-round pick Chandler Zavala, like he did for 22 snaps in the Week 3 win, will take over for Lewis. And if Hunt cannot go, the versatile Brady Christensen would be in his stead.

With the offense getting on track behind Dalton and looking to further establish the run behind a hot Chuba Hubbard, Zavala (and perhaps Christensen) must step up to keep the machine moving.

Here, Kitty, Kitty

Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

If you were told prior to the season that one of these two teams would be winless heading into their Week 4 matchup, we’re willing to bet that you didn’t think it’d be the Bengals.

Well, it is indeed the Bengals—and they’re one loss away from essentially ending their season. There’s only one team in NFL history (the 1992 San Diego Chargers) that made the postseason after starting 0-4, so the situation is extremely dire.

Unbelievably enough, the Panthers have a chance to bury these cats in their backyard on Sunday.

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Panthers Week 4 injury report: Starting LG Damien Lewis out vs. Bengals

As expected, Panthers G Damien Lewis will not suit up for Sunday’s clash with the Bengals.

Carolina Panthers starting left guard Damien Lewis may have to save his big boy pants for next week.

As expected, the fifth-year hog molly will not suit up for Sunday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Lewis, who tore his UCL in the Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, did not participate in any of the team’s practices this week.

Second-year lineman and 2023 fourth-round pick Chandler Zavala is set to get the nod in place of Lewis.

In an unexpected hiccup, however, fellow starting guard Robert Hunt was limited in today’s practice with a hip injury. He is considered questionable and would, per head coach Dave Canales, give way to Brady Christensen if he cannot go.

In addition, wide receiver Diontae Johnson is on track to play after missing Thursday’s practice. Johnson, who dealt with a groin strain during the summer, sat out of the rainy session as a precautionary measure.

Here’s Friday’s injury report in its entirety:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Rest DNP Full Full –
DL A’Shawn Robinson Knee DNP Limited Limited Questionable
CB Lonnie Johnson Hip DNP DNP DNP Out
G Damien Lewis Elbow DNP DNP DNP Out
DL Shy Tuttle Foot DNP DNP DNP Out
RB Chuba Hubbard Rest Limited Full Full –
S Nick Scott Quadriceps Limited Limited Limited –
QB Andy Dalton Ankle Full Full Full –
WR Diontae Johnson Groin DNP Limited Questionable
OT Taylor Moton Rest DNP Full –
G Robert Hunt Hip Limited Questionable

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Panthers WR Diontae Johnson misses Thursday’s practice with groin injury

The Panthers were without WR Diontae Johnson and LG Damien Lewis at Thursday’s practice.

Another day, another practice without starting left guard Damien Lewis.

On Thursday, the Carolina Panthers held their standout hog molly out of practice for the second consecutive outing. Lewis, who made an early exit in the Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, is currently dealing with an elbow injury.

Head coach Dave Canales provided an update on Lewis’ status yesterday.

“He injured his UCL,” Canales told reporters. “They did some assessment of that. They gave us a really broad window for that one. So, we’re trying to just push him and see what we can get out of him, see if we can get him back out there. But that’s kinda up in the air.”

His availability is very much in the air for Sunday, when the Panthers host the 0-3 Cincinnati Bengals in their second home game of the season. If Lewis cannot go, expect second-year lineman and 2023 fourth-round pick Chandler Zavala to get the starting nod at left guard.

The team was also without its top wideout in Diontae Johnson, who missed practice with a groin injury. He told reporters, however, that his absence was a precaution.

Johnson is fresh off notching a career-high 122 receiving yards.

Here’s Thursday’s injury report in full:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Rest DNP Full
DL A’Shawn Robinson Knee DNP Limited
CB Lonnie Johnson Hip DNP DNP
G Damien Lewis Elbow DNP DNP
DL Shy Tuttle Foot DNP DNP
RB Chuba Hubbard Rest Limited Full
S Nick Scott Quadriceps Limited Limited
QB Andy Dalton Ankle Full Full
WR Diontae Johnson Groin DNP
OT Taylor Moton Rest DNP

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Panthers G Damien Lewis dealing with elbow injury

Panthers starting LG Damien Lewis is currently dealing with a UCL injury.

The Carolina Panthers might have to be a little touch-and-go on one of their big men.

Starting left guard Damien Lewis did not participate in Wednesday’s practice, the first ahead of Sunday’s Week 4 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, due to an elbow injury. Shortly after the injury report was released, head coach Dave Canales took the lectern and provided some details on Lewis’ status.

“He injured his UCL,” Canales told reporters this afternoon. “They did some assessment of that. They gave us a really broad window for that one. So, we’re trying to just push him and see what we can get out of him, see if we can get him back out there. But that’s kinda up in the air.”

Lewis, who signed a four-year, $53 million deal to join the Panthers this past spring, has given the team an early return on their investment. The 6-foot-3, 332-pounder currently boasts an 80.9 pass-blocking from Pro Football Focus, the sixth-highest amongst all guards this season.

If Lewis is unavailable this weekend, second-year lineman Chandler Zavala—who played 22 snaps in place of Lewis in Week 3’s 36-22 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders—would likely get the start.

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Panthers QB Andy Dalton pops up on Wednesday’s injury report

Panthers QB Andy Dalton showed up on Wednesday’s injury report with an ankle issue.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton seems to be a little banged up after his triumphant performance.

The 36-year-old was listed on the first injury report of the week ahead of this Sunday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. But don’t fret, Panthers fans, he was still a full participant despite an ankle injury.

Dalton, in his first start since replacing struggling second-year quarterback Bryce Young, completed 26 of his 37 throws for 319 yards and three touchdowns in the 36-22 upset over the Las Vegas Raiders. The stunning victory saw Dalton become the first NFL quarterback this season to pass for both 300 yards and three scores in a single game.

Here’s Wednesday’s full injury report:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Rest DNP
DL A’Shawn Robinson Knee DNP
CB Lonnie Johnson Hip DNP
G Damien Lewis Elbow DNP
DL Shy Tuttle Foot DNP
RB Chuba Hubbard Rest Limited
S Nick Scott Quadriceps Limited
QB Andy Dalton Ankle Full

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Panthers players react to their 1st win of 2024 season

The Panthers took some much-needed, well-deserved victory laps on social media after their upset of the Raiders.

Not many folks believed the Carolina Panthers had much of a chance to pick up their first win of the 2024 season on Sunday. Well, guess what?

The Panthers pounded their way to a 36-22 victory in Week 3 over the Las Vegas Raiders. Led by a sparkling performance by new starting quarterback Andy Dalton, Carolina hit on pretty much all cylinders to pull off the stunning upset.

And, rightfully so, the team took some much-needed and well-deserved victory laps on Twitter/X following the triumph . . .

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4 things to know for Panthers vs. Raiders in Week 3

Panthers HC Dave Canales is hoping to alter his team’s fortunes beginning in Week 3.

Despite piecing together about as brutal of an 0-2 start as possible, the Carolina Panthers step into Week 3 with a little renewed hope—as a switch under center could result in a switch in fortunes.

But before we hit kickoff on Sunday, here are four things to know about this week’s matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders:

First-year matchup

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Both Dave Canales and Antonio Pierce have entered 2024 as first-time full-time head coaches. And Week 3 will be the first time that either face a fellow first-year head coach.

Canales comes into the match looking for his first career win, whereas Pierce can snag his second this season and his seventh overall—with five coming in his interim role in 2023. Both are also looking to establish their cultures amidst a pair of shaky quarterback situations.

The Red Rifle

Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Speaking of shaky quarterback situations, the Panthers have decided to bench the struggling Bryce Young after just 18 career starts. They’ll now look to 14th-year veteran Andy Dalton for some form of offensive success.

Dalton made one start for Carolina in 2023, passing for 361 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. So that success brings a bit of hope that the 36-year-old could unlock some functionality that we have yet to see from this offense in 2024.

Gladiator match

Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

The major strengths for both teams reside in the trenches.

For Las Vegas, it’s on defense—where stars Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins reside. For Carolina, it’s actually been on offense—where this offseason’s investments into guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt have already begun to pay off.

Whoever can control the line of scrimmage, particularly in this battle, should have the advantage.

Tight history

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers-Raiders matchups are pretty rare, as the two teams have met just seven times. Las Vegas has the slight edge, carrying a 4-3 mark against Carolina heading into the weekend.

The Panthers can even up the all-time series by notching their first (and much-needed) win of the 2024 campaign.

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