Tag: Jeremy Chinn

Panthers injury updates: Jeremy Chinn upgraded on Thursday

The Panthers need every bit of help they can get against the Chiefs this week.

The Panthers need every bit of help they can get against the Chiefs this week. That’s why Jeremy Chinn’s presence on the injury report is so concerning. Chinn sat out Wednesday’s practice, but he was upgraded to a limited participant today.

Here is the team’s updated Week 9 injury report.

Player Inury Wed Thu Fri Status
LB/DB Jeremy Chinn Knee DNP Limited
OT Russell Okung Calf Limited Limited
DT Zach Kerr Toe Limited Full
CB Donte Jackson Toe Full Full
CB Corn Elder Neck Limited Full
QB Teddy Bridgewater Neck Full Full
DE Marquis Haynes Shoulder – DNP
TE Chris Manhertz Shoulder – Full

If Chinn can’t play, the Panthers will take a by-committee approach to replacing the multiple roles he fills defensively.

Starting left tackle Russell Okung remains a limited participant due to his calf injury. Carolina will also need him in the lineup to help contain Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark.

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Panthers Week 9 injury report: Jeremy Chinn misses first practice

Standout rookie defender Jeremy Chinn did not participate due to a knee injury.

The Carolina Panthers got Christian McCaffrey back in full swing at practice today. Because this is 2020, there had to be a catch. Standout rookie defender Jeremy Chinn did not participate due to a knee injury. Three others were limited.

Here is your first look at the Week 9 injury report.

Player Inury Wed Thu Fri Status
LB/DB Jeremy Chinn Knee DNP
OT Russell Okung Calf Limited
DT Zach Kerr Toe Limited
CB Donte Jackson Toe Full
CB Corn Elder Neck Limited
QB Teddy Bridgewater Neck Full

If Chinn can’t play, it would obviously be a huge blow for the Panthers defense. His versatility and range have made him the most indispensable piece for this unit. Facing the Chiefs without Chinn could lead to the biggest blowout of the year. Coach Matt Rhule told reporters today doing so would not fall on one player but would require multiple guys filling different roles.

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Panthers rookie watch: Jeremy Chinn does it all in Week 8

Panthers rookie watch: Jeremy Chinn does it all in Week 8 vs. Falcons.

The Panthers lost to the Falcons last night at home, 25-17. While it was a frustrating loss in many ways, there were once again some hopeful signs from the rookie class of 2020.

Here’s how they did in Week 8.

DT Derrick Brown 

Brown didn’t light up the stat sheet against the Falcons. That’s generally not what defensive tackles, do though. Brown is still doing a good job eating space and setting up his teammates to make stops. This sack for Efe Obada is a solid example.

Brown was flagged for a holding penalty at one point but it was an atrocious call and not his fault.

DB/LB/RB Jeremy Chinn

It’s starting to look like this kid really can do it all. Last night, Chinn showed he can make a difference on special teams, as well. He gained 28 rushing yards on this fake punt, which Chinn apparently called on an audible.

Chinn also led the team with 10 combined tackles and is starting to make an impact as a pass rusher, as well – totaling four pressures on Matt Ryan. He’s an exceptional talent who is going to have a special career.

CB Troy Pride Jr.

While the future for Chinn looks exceedingly bright, it’s the opposite for Pride. He got extended playing time with Rasul Douglas out again and Donte Jackson having to leave early due to his toe injury. Pride can’t even seem to keep his own feet under him at this point.

If they’re going to compete for a wild card spot, the Panthers need to bring in more help at this position.

S Sam Franklin

Franklin also saw a big snap count for the second week in a row. There were times when he looked lost on the field, but Franklin did tally four tackles and came through with a clutch PBU on Julio Jones to prevent a touchdown.

CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver III

A lot of rookies saw action in the second half, including the team’s seventh-round draft pick. Thomas-Oliver played his first defensive snaps of the season. Having him cover Julio one-on-one isn’t ideal, but he made a couple of nice plays and one tackle on third down.

Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos remains on the injured reserve list with a high ankle sprain. He will be eligible to return to the active roster soon but will likely be out a while longer.

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Panthers’ defensive woes spill over, spoil offense in third straight loss

The Carolina Panthers are special.

The Carolina Panthers are special.

They’re not special because they’re particularly great or because they’re setting themselves apart in any positive or ingenious fashion. They’re special because they did not to mount a fourth-quarter comeback against the woeful Atlanta Falcons.

Given how that team is practically the Benjamin Franklin of inventing new ways to blow late leads, that’s impressive. What wasn’t in Carolina’s demoralizing 25-17 loss was their young defense.

Guess what? Morale gets lost when you allow a 35-year-old quarterback who runs like he underwent a double-foot transplant with an elephant and a duck gash you on the ground in critical spots. Matt Ryan hit up Carolina for 27 yards on six carries, two of which were pathetically painful.

Ryan’s first punch to the gut came at the 8:02 mark of the second quarter, when he rolled out to the wide-open right side of the field to pick up 13 of those yards and a touchdown. Two impressive scores from Curtis Samuel became two quick afterthoughts, as the clumsy Ryan embarrassed the Panthers defense to cut down their lead to 14-13.

Ryan’s second would help push what was the game-clinching drive forward. On a 3rd & 7 from Atlanta’s own 28-yard line, Ryan picked up 10 yards and a first down. Nine plays later, running back Todd Gurley extended a 19-17 advantage to the final 25-17 on a three-yard push into the end zone with 11:01 remaining.

Wideout Julio Jones also thrahsed a mostly soft zone defense for 137 yards on seven receptions. That 19.6 yards per catch average was a testament to Carolina’s shortcomings defensively, even with Calvin Ridley exiting early due to an ankle injury.

This often-punchless defensive unit is still failing to piece together timely stops consistently. They totaled just a single takeaway and two sacks while largely surrendering the edge in ball control (36:30 to 23:30) as well as in the first-down battle (28 to 18).

If you mix in last week’s loss to the New Orleans Saints, that time-of-possession difference stands at a jaw-dropping 71:11 to 48:49 in favor of their division rivals. They’re also well behind in total plays at 133 to 87 forced one punt in those eight quarters.

As the Panthers defense continues keeping opposing offenses on the field, they are—in turn—failing to get their own offense on it. This has helped lead to the aforementioned disparity in control and the lack of functionality and smoothness we saw in previous victories.

Outside of Samuel (54 total yards and two touchdowns on seven touches) and Mike Davis (66 yards on 13 carries), there wasn’t much to write home about on this side of the ball. Teddy Bridgewater was bland and flustered, D.J. Moore was MIA until the end and Robby Anderson was held in check for the first time all season.

With Carolina not having tasted victory in three weeks, the defense needs to dig deep and snap out of it. That will require getting help from someone other than Brian Burns and Jeremy Chinn, who is carrying quite a heavy work load. (They’re even counting on Chinn to convert 4th & longs . . .)

Next up, these Panthers will visit the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday. Imagine what Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce can do against this defense.

Good luck with that.

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Winners and losers from the Panthers’ 25-17 loss to Falcons

Here are our winners and losers from Thursday night’s game.

In their first and only primetime game of the season, the Panthers took a harsh 25-17 home loss to the Falcons thanks to a poor overall performance.

Here are our winners and losers from Thursday night’s game.

Winner: DB Jeremy Chinn

Even in the middle of a bad game, the Panthers defense can rely on two young playmakers to cover for them: Jeremy Chinn and Brian Burns. We’ll start with Chinn. Not only did the Defensive Rookie of the Month continue to hold his own on his natural side of the ball, but Chinn also converted the fake punt that set up an important field goal by Joey Slye. Chinn also posted a team-high 10 tackles, one pass deflection and one quarterback hit.

Loser: Panthers offensive line

Carolina’s offensive line did not give Teddy Bridgewater any breaks on Thursday night. Bridgewater took pressures on far too many of his dropbacks, leading to rushed passes and yards lost on sacks. By the end of the game, the offensive line had given up six quarterback hits, four tackles for a loss and three sacks. The only silver lining may have been the line’s immediate response to the double cheap shots on Teddy, something the Cowboys were blasted for failing to do last week.

Winner: WR Curtis Samuel

Effectively suppressing the trade rumors that have surrounded the versatile receiver, Samuel combined effective between-the-tackles rushing with his catching ability to make an impact all over the field, combining for 54 total yards and two touchdowns. The highlight of the night was this flea flicker pass from Bridgewater to Samuel in the first half.

Loser: CB Donte Jackson

Jackson did get an interception on Matt Ryan. However, it doesn’t make up for his coverage. Julio Jones tore Jackson apart early and often. Jones converted 10 targets into seven receptions and 137 yards, most of which when he was covered by No. 26. And that’s not even mentioning the second-quarter touchdown Jackson would have allowed to Jones had undrafted rookie Sam Franklin not bailed him out with a crucial pass deflection. Jackson needs time off to heal his toe and get back to 100%.

Winner: DE Brian Burns

Just like Chinn, Burns had himself a great outing in multiple facets of the game. From a crucial QB rush that set up the Jackson interception to a third-down pressure that forced a change of possession, Burns continued to shine for this Carolina defensive line. The second-year defensive end totaled nine tackles and boosted his already strong All-Pro candidacy.

Loser: Time of possession battle

Whenever an NFL team loses the time of possession battle by 13 minutes, it’s not ideal. Atlanta held the ball 36:30 to just 23:30 for Carolina. In the end, that just didn’t leave the Panthers enough time to mount a comeback.

Winner: RB Mike Davis

The biggest news of the night came with Bridgewater’s second-half injury scare, but Carolina’s veteran running back quietly had an efficient game rushing in what could be his last starting opportunity before Christian McCaffrey returns. Both teams emphasized the run game as the rain made passing more difficult and Davis delivered— racking up 66 yards on 13 runs, an average of 5.1 yards per carry.

Loser: Third-down offense

Unfortunately for Carolina, the team simply cannot figure out a way to convert third downs. Even with Curtis Samuel back in the mix and having a spectacular all-around game, the Panthers were only able to go 2/10 in third down situations.

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Panthers LB Jeremy Chinn named Defensive Rookie of the Month

Panthers linebacker/defensive back Jeremy Chinn has been named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month for October.

Panthers linebacker/defensive back Jeremy Chinn has been named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month for October. During those four games, Chinn posted 30 tackles, one pick and four pass breakups.

Chinn has impressed with his range and versatility all season, making stops from several different positions. While he’s listed as a linebacker, he’s played all over the field. Lately, he’s been coming on in coverage, which had been an issue early in the season.

There are still areas for Chinn to improve. For one thing, he’s missed 10 tackles already, almost 15% of his attempts. This is nitpicking, though. For Chinn to be playing at this level with only seven games of experience is pretty astounding stuff.

Several other defenders should be in the running for the award, but if Chinn can maintain this for the entire season he should at least be in the conversation for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

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Panthers rookie watch: Derrick Brown ineffective vs. Saints

Here is a review of how the kids did against New Orleans.

The Panthers kept it close on Sunday as they have all season. In the end, they couldn’t score an upset over the division-rival Saints, falling on the road 27-24. It was also a pretty forgettable week for their 2020 rookie class.

Here is a review of how the kids did against New Orleans.

Derrick Brown was ineffective

Brown has made some splash plays as a run-stuffer and came into this week with six tackles for a loss, tied with Aaron Donald for the league-lead among DTs. However, he was completely ineffective against a New Orleans offensive line that dominated everyone in a Carolina uniform not named Brian Burns. Brown finished the game with just one tackle, half of Bravvion Roy’s total. There’s not too much to be concerned about, here. The Saints will shut down a lot of good linemen and Brown will have his ups and downs.

Jeremy Chinn still growing

Chinn was the exception to the rule. He has been a standout against the run all season, but had some issues in coverage early on. His improvement in this area continues. Last week he had a pick and a PBU on Nick Foles and Sunday he came through with another nice deflection against Drew Brees.

Chinn finished second on the team with eight combined tackles.

Troy Pride Jr. struggled again

With cornerback Rasul Douglas on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list, Pride got another chance with the starters. Again, he had troubles in coverage. This time around he got benched in favor of Eli Apple. Pride may yet develop into a respectable corner. He should probably be spending all of his playing time on special teams right now, though.

Sam Franklin played every snap

The Panthers lost another starter in the defensive backfield this week with safety Juston Burris going on injured reserve. Undrafted rookie Sam Franklin took his place in the starting lineup and wound up playing every single defensive snap. Franklin posted two tackles and got into a little scuffle with Saints tight end Josh Hill at one point.

Relatable. Franklin didn’t stand out but didn’t embarrass himself, either.

Kenny Robinson debuts, Myles Hartsfield runs

Fifth-round pick Kenny Robinson finally saw his first action of the 2020 season. He was called up from the practice squad and played 11 snaps on special teams. The undrafted DB/RB Myles Hartsfield got some reps at running back but only managed two yards on two carries.

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Panthers S Tre Boston on Jeremy Chinn: ‘He’s a freak of nature’

Speaking with the media on Thursday, safety Tre Boston called Chinn “a freak of nature.”

The 2020 Panthers defense is far better than most expected it to be. A lot of the credit has to go to defensive coordinator Phil Snow, who has gotten an  inexperienced and injury-ravaged unit to click despite no real offseason and no preseason games to prepare.

It’s a two-way street, though. This Carolina group was supposed to be the worst defense in the NFL this season and it wasn’t because of Snow. On paper, this unit looked more kitten than Panther compared to the competition. Young defenders like rookie Jeremy Chinn have helped defy those gloomy pre-season expectations, though. Heading into Week 7, Chinn has made quite the impression on the veterans around him.

Speaking with the media on Thursday, safety Tre Boston called Chinn “a freak of nature.”

We knew Chinn was a special athlete when he was drafted. Every year exceptional athletes come into the NFL and never work out, though.

Chinn’s freakish speed, size and explosiveness have contributed to Chinn’s playmaking ability. His game is far more polished than we expected at this point given Chinn’s age and the level of competition he faced in college.

On the field, range is arguably Chinn’s top asset. Chinn has racked up a team-high 49 combined tackles so far. He’s also been lining up all over the field, being utilized in the way we thought the team might with Isaiah Simmons had he been picked, instead.

Chinn is also developing in coverage after a shaky first month of the season. He made two strong plays on the ball in Sunday’s loss to the Bears, nabbing a tough PBU and his first career interception.

Chinn’s game still has a lot of room to grow, but Boston hit the nail on the head with the exact right word. It’s freaky how good Chinn is already.

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Panthers rookie watch: Jeremy Chinn levels up in Week 6

Panthers rookie watch: Jeremy Chinn levels up in Week 6

The Panthers lost to the Bears yesterday 23-16, but they kept it close and competitive as they have in every game so far this season. Carolina also saw some promising signs from its 2020 draft class.

Here’s how the rookies did this week.

DB Jeremy Chinn

Through the first five weeks we saw Chinn make plays all over the field in run defense, showing tremendous range and tackling ability. This week, Chinn made a breakthrough in coverage. He posted two pass breakups and an interception.

He also had an impressive PBU against Jimmy Graham the previous play.

Chinn is now getting talked up as a potential Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate. Even if that doesn’t happen, the Panthers have to be thrilled with how he’s played so far. The sheer number of places he’s lined up is reason to believe he has an extremely bright future ahead of him.

DT Derrick Brown

As for the team’s first-round pick, Brown is still being an absolute game-wrecker against the run. Brown posted another powerful tackle for a loss against Chicago yesterday.

Brown also helped pressure Nick Foles on the interception he threw to Chinn. The more of that we see from Brown, the better.

CB Troy Pride Jr.

With Donte Jackson still hampered by his toe injury, Pride got the start at outside corner opposite Rasul Douglas. Pride played relatively well with his increased snap count. He was flagged for a defensive pass interference penalty but it came on an uncatchable pass and was a garbage flag.

DT Bravvion Roy

With Short out, the other interior defensive linemen have to step up when they’re given opportunities. Roy acquitted himself well in limited action and got a quarterback hit on Nick Foles.

LB Sam Franklin

Safety Juston Burris went down with what looked like a serious upper body injury just before the half. That gave Franklin some time on the field and he did well for himself. He played 23 defensive snaps (35%) and made a couple of nice tackles.

As for the rest, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos is on in the injured reserve list with a high ankle sprain, safety Kenny Robinson remains one of the team’s protected practice squad players and seventh-rounder Stantley Thomas-Oliver still can’t get any playing time outside of special teams. The undrafted DB/RB Myles Hartsfield has become a core special teamer, leading the team in playing time on that end.

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Teddy Bridgewater, Panthers take a step back in sloppy loss to Chicago

It’s more so that the Panthers, particularly Bridgewater, just didn’t do anything special.

What do Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and quarterback win-loss records all have in common? They’re all fake. (Sorry, kids.)

You can’t just relegate a team’s victories and defeats to its quarterback. He only plays half of the game. What if, say, Teddy Bridgewater were to complete 25 of his 25 pass attempts for 500 yards and five touchdowns, yet, sees his Carolina Panthers go down in a 49-35 loss? Surely, the loss isn’t his fault. His defense gave up seven touchdowns. He played a perfect game. So why attribute that to him?

Well, QBWinz still persist for a reason. It’s football’s sloppy way of saying the quarterback position is the most important in all of sports.

Your team usually will only go as far as your QB does. And while there’s no easy statistic to quantify that, Teddy tried his damnedest to make that transparent on Sunday.

Carolina dropped to 3-3 this afternoon in a sloppy showing against the now 5-1 Chicago Bears. And the Bears didn’t do anything special to come away with a 23-16 win. It’s more so that the Panthers, particularly Bridgewater, just didn’t do anything special.

Bridgewater wasn’t close to the statistical juggernaut he was in the weeks prior. He saw his league-leading completion percentage (73.4) take a serious dive, completing just 16 of 29 throws (55.2 percent), against a stout defense. His passing yardage wasn’t up to snuff, with 216 yards after entering with a bulky average of 292.0 per game. He also threw two costly interceptions and zero touchdowns.

But it was the nature of those numbers that were more worrisome for a Panthers team suddenly looking to compete for a playoff spot.

Bridgewater’s first pick came on Carolina’s first drive, right after eating a sack that very well could have been a safety. Bridgewater tried to force one in to Robby Anderson, who was draped in coverage by rookie Jaylon Johnson on a 3rd & 19 from the Panthers’ one-yard line.

The ball bounced off Anderson and into the waiting hands of Tashaun Gipson. The Bears would capitalize off the giveaway, as a touchdown from Nick Foles to tight end Cole Kmet put the Panthers into a 7-0 hole not even four minutes in.

Bridgewater could not dig his offense out of that hole, as Carolina trailed the entire way. While he could have gotten a little more help from his receivers, most notably DJ Moore – who had a few ugly drops, Teddy appeared off the mark and struggled while facing pressure throughout.

That connection combined for the game’s most defining moment. On a 4th & 2 from the Bears’ 38 with 2:00 remaining and down seven, Bridgewater missed Moore on a wide open pass that would’ve set up the Panthers well inside the red zone.

He got a second chance at tying the game after a defensive stand that limited Chicago to just eight yards in 23 seconds. But Bridgewater would waste that one too, rather immediately, as he hit DeAndre Houston-Carson in stride.

It was a perfect throw, just to the wrong team.

Overall, Sunday wasn’t exactly a disaster for Carolina. Their young studs on defense in Brian Burns (three quarterback hits) and Jeremy Chinn (one interception) impressed yet again in helping limit the opposition to a paltry 261 yards and they stayed quite close and competitive until the final whistle. So, by no means, are we blowing up the season now.

Bridgewater still has some steps to take, though. Sure, he can guide a well-called, finely-tuned offense. And sure, everything looks fine and peachy while they’re ahead on the scoreboard.

Is he a QB who can consistently handle the pressure in the pocket? Is he a guy who can win games you’re supposed to lose? And is he a leader who can take this improbable group to the postseason?

So far, even with all his sexy numbers, the answer is no.

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