Which players may be left behind as the Carolina Panthers transition into a new era?
Here are four pending free agents that the team should let walk this offseason:
Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
These four pending free agents should be on the outs in Carolina:
Which players may be left behind as the Carolina Panthers transition into a new era?
Here are four pending free agents that the team should let walk this offseason:
The Panthers currently have 26 players slated for free agency in 2024.
Things have changed a bit since the last time we brought you this free agent list.
A few weeks back, the Carolina Panthers held on to a few of their own—re-signing tight end Stephen Sullivan and defensive linemen Nick Thurman LaBryan Ray to fresh deals.
So, let’s take an updated look at the team’s pending 2024 free agents.
Panthers interim HC Chris Tabor spoke about WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette’s expanding role on offense.
The Carolina Panthers may have themselves a new full-time gadget.
A good amount of time this past summer was spent on finding a sweet spot for wideout Laviska Shenault Jr., who possesses the tools to be a two-fold threat on offense. But after an injury-plagued season phased him out of their plans, the Panthers may have found a similar type of spark in fellow receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette.
Smith-Marsette provided some spice for Carolina in their 9-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Aside from his usual work on special teams, he squeezed in four rushing attempts for a total of 31 yards.
On Monday, interim head coach Chris Tabor was asked what Smith-Marsette meant to the team in their second victory of the campaign.
“I think he’s a player that kinda keeps growin’,” he said. “His role is beginning to expand on offense, which I’m excited to see. I just think whatever opportunity he gets, he’ll take advantage of. And that’s kinda where he’s at right now.
“He’s doin’ a nice job with regards to making good decisions in the punt return game. We got him on some jet sweeps—and then the motion and then throwin’ it out to him out there kinda turned into a punt return play for him. And I thought the offense did a good job of utilizing his skill set.”
Whether it was under the play-calling of former head coach Frank Reich or offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, the Panthers offense has proven to be a tad stale throughout this rough campaign. Heck, they’re still without a touchdown over their last eight quarters.
But perhaps these last three weeks will give them, and Smith-Marsette, a chance to experiment.
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The Panthers have placed WR Laviska Shenault Jr. on injured reserve.
Move over Austin Corbett . . . and Brady Christensen . . . and Shaq Thompson . . . and Justin Houston . . . and, you get the point.
The Carolina Panthers announced on Thursday morning that they have placed receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. on injured reserve. He is now the 12th player currently on IR for the Panthers, who have also designated six others for their returns.
Shenault Jr. will now miss at least the next four games due to an ankle injury, one he sustained after taking just two offensive snaps in this past Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans. The fourth-year wideout was also sidelined for three outings with another ankle injury that popped up in the Week 6 visit to see the Miami Dolphins.
Through eight contests in 2023, Shenault Jr. has recorded 10 receptions for 60 yards along with 12 rushes for another 55 yards. He has, additionally, returned six kickoffs at an average of 27.8 yards per attempt.
The former second-round pick is now the second player in as many days to hit the shelf for Carolina, as guard Chandler Zavala had his rookie campaign cut short yesterday.
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The Panthers have ruled out four players from their Week 10 clash with the Bears, including OLB Brian Burns and CB CJ Henderson.
As expected, the Carolina Panthers won’t have two more key defenders for their latest outing.
Those two players are outside linebacker Brian Burns and cornerback CJ Henderson, both of whom left this past Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts due to concussions. Head coach Frank Reich unofficially ruled out the duo on Tuesday.
Joining them will be wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (ankle) and tight end Stephen Sullivan (shoulder). Fellow pass catcher DJ Chark may be on the sideline as well, as he’s been listed as doubtful with an elbow injury.
Here’s the team’s final injury report a day ahead of their Week 10 matchup against the Chicago Bears:
Injury | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Game status | |
OLB Brian Burns | Concussion/elbow | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
WR DJ Chark | Elbow | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
CB CJ Henderson | Concussion | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
WR Laviska Shenault Jr. | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
TE Stephen Sullivan | Shoulder | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
S Xavier Woods | Thigh | DNP | DNP | Limited | Questionable |
S Vonn Bell | Quadriceps | Full | Full | Full | Questionable |
RB Raheem Blackshear | Ankle | Full | Full | Full | – |
LT Ikem Ekwonu | Ankle | Full | Full | Full | – |
OLB Marquis Haynes Sr. | Back | Full | Full | Full | Questionable |
LB Frankie Luvu | Hip | Full | Full | Full | – |
TE Tommy Tremble | Shoulder | Full | Full | Full | – |
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The Panthers have ruled out three players from Sunday’s contest against the Colts, including OLB Justin Houston and WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
The Carolina Panthers will be even thinner at outside linebacker in Week 9.
Four-time Pro Bowler Justin Houston has been ruled out of Sunday’s contest against the Indianapolis Colts due to a hamstring injury. The 34-year-old, who sustained the setback in last weekend’s 15-13 win over the Houston Texans, has played in approximately 41 percent of the defense’s snaps this season—having recorded nine combined tackles and half a sack.
With Brian Burns still dealing with a hyperextended elbow and Yetur Gross-Matos currently on injured reserve due to a hamstring issue of his own, the Panthers will have to dig into their depth at the position once again. Burns, who is a go, could be joined by Amaré Barno as well as rookies DJ Johnson and Eku Leota.
The Panthers, who won’t have wideout Laviska Shenault Jr. or linebacker Claudin Cherelus either, are also likely to be without safety Vonn Bell—who is listed as doubtful. Bell missed the last two games due to a quadriceps injury.
Here’s the final Week 9 injury report:
Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game status | |
WR DJ Chark | Elbow | DNP | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
LB Clauin Cherelus | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
CB Troy Hill | Illness | DNP | Full | Full | – |
OLB Justin Houston | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
TE Hayden Hurst | Illness | DNP | Full | Full | – |
OT Taylor Moton | Knee/rest | DNP | Limited | Full | – |
WR Laviska Shenault Jr. | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
WR Adam Thielen | Rest | DNP | – | – | – |
S Vonn Bell | Quadriceps | Limited | Limited | Limited | Doubtful |
OLB Brian Burns | Elbow | Limited | Limited | Full | – |
G Austin Corbett | Knee | Limited | Limited | Full | – |
LB Frankie Luvu | Hip | Limited | Limited | Full | – |
LB Chandler Wooten | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Full | – |
RB Raheem Blackshear | Groin | Limited | Full | Full | – |
S Xavier Woods | Abdomen | – | Limited | Full | – |
G Cade Mays | Ankle | – | Full | Full | – |
CB Donte Jackson | Quadriceps | – | – | Full | Questionable |
S Alex Cook | Shoulder | – | – | Full | – |
RB Miles Sanders | Calf | – | – | Full | – |
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Thursday’s injury report came out a bit cleaner for the Panthers.
As expected, the Carolina Panthers’ injury report from Thursday looked a lot cleaner than the one from Wednesday.
After holding out eight players from yesterday’s session, the Panthers got a handful of their men back this afternoon—including wideout DJ Chark, tight end Hayden Hurst, right tackle Taylor Moton and cornerback Troy Hill.
Among those still out were were receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., who sustained an ankle injury against the Miami Dolphins in Week 6, and outside linebacker Justin Houston, who is dealing with a hamstring issue.
Here is Thursday’s injury report in full:
Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game status | |
WR DJ Chark | Elbow | DNP | Limited | ||
LB Clauin Cherelus | Knee | DNP | DNP | ||
CB Troy Hill | Illness | DNP | Full | ||
OLB Justin Houston | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | ||
TE Hayden Hurst | Illness | DNP | Full | ||
OT Taylor Moton | Knee/rest | DNP | Limited | ||
WR Laviska Shenault Jr. | Ankle | DNP | DNP | ||
WR Adam Thielen | Rest | DNP | – | ||
S Vonn Bell | Quadriceps | Limited | Limited | ||
OLB Brian Burns | Elbow | Limited | Limited | ||
G Austin Corbett | Knee | Limited | Limited | ||
LB Frankie Luvu | Hip | Limited | Limited | ||
LB Chandler Wooten | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | ||
RB Raheem Blackshear | Groin | Limited | Full | ||
S Xavier Woods | Abdomen | – | Limited | ||
G Cade Mays | Ankle | – | Full |
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The Panthers held out eight players from Wednesday’s practice.
The Carolina Panthers have some battle scars after fighting through their first win of the 2023 season.
In their first official session leading up to their Week 9 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, the team held out eight players on Wednesday. Those who did not participate due to injury included wideouts DJ Chark (elbow) and Laviska Shenault Jr. (ankle) and veteran pass rusher Justin Houston (hamstring).
Carolina did, however, see a bit out of linebackers Brian Burns (elbow) and Frankie Luvu (hip) as well as safety Vonn Bell (quadriceps)—who were all limited. Bell has missed the past two games.
Here is Wednesday’s injury report in its entirety:
Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game status | |
WR DJ Chark | Elbow | DNP | |||
LB Clauin Cherelus | Knee | DNP | |||
CB Troy Hill | Illness | DNP | |||
OLB Justin Houston | Hamstring | DNP | |||
TE Hayden Hurst | Illness | DNP | |||
OT Taylor Moton | Knee/rest | DNP | |||
WR Laviska Shenault Jr. | Ankle | DNP | |||
WR Adam Thielen | Rest | DNP | |||
S Vonn Bell | Quadriceps | Limited | |||
OLB Brian Burns | Elbow | Limited | |||
G Austin Corbett | Knee | Limited | |||
LB Frankie Luvu | Hip | Limited | |||
LB Chandler Wooten | Hamstring | Limited | |||
RB Raheem Blackshear | Groin | Limited |
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The Panthers have listed OLB Brian Burns (elbow) as questionable for Week 8’s matchup with the Texans.
Even as they come out of their bye week, the Carolina Panthers may not be as healthy as they could be for Sunday’s matchup against the Houston Texans.
Outside linebacker Brian Burns, who was not present at Friday’s practice, has been listed as questionable for the contest. The two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher popped up on yesterday’s injury report with an elbow issue.
Burns may be joining safety Vonn Bell (quadriceps) on the sideline, as the veteran defensive back has been ruled out for a second straight game. Bell will definitely be joined by wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., who sustained an ankle injury in the Week 6 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
But, in a bit of good news, right guard Austin Corbett was a full participant today and has been cleared without a game designation. He could now be in line to make his 2023 debut after tearing his ACL in last year’s regular-season finale.
Here’s the team’s final injury report for the week:
Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game status | |
S Vonn Bell | Quadriceps | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
WR Laviska Shenault Jr. | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
TE Stephen Sullivan | Illness | DNP | Full | Full | – |
G Austin Corbett | Knee | Limited | Limited | Full | – |
LB Frankie Luvu | Hip | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
OT Taylor Moton | Knee/rest | Limited | DNP | Limited | Questionable |
S Xavier Woods | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Full | Questionable |
RB Miles Sanders | Shoulder | Full | Full | Full | – |
G Calvin Throckmorton | Calf | Full | Full | Full | – |
G Chandler Zavala | Neck | Full | Full | Full | – |
OLB Brian Burns | Elbow | – | Limited | DNP | Questionable |
LB Kamu Grugier-Hill | Illness | – | – | DNP | Questionable |
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Panthers OLB Brian Burns (elbow) was a limited participant at Thursday’s practice.
Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Brian Burns probably isn’t going anywhere by the time the trade deadline passes on Tuesday. So until then, the only status in question may be the one for Sunday’s matchup against the Houston Texans.
The two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher was added to the team’s Week 8 injury report on Thursday. Burns, who leads the Panthers in sacks (4.0), was listed as a limited participant for this afternoon’s practice session with an elbow injury.
Additionally, safety Vonn Bell and wideout Laviska Shenault Jr. both missed a second consecutive outing. Starting right tackle Taylor Moton was also held out on a rest day.
Here is the entire report from Thursday:
Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game status | |
S Vonn Bell | Quadriceps | DNP | DNP | ||
WR Laviska Shenault Jr. | Ankle | DNP | DNP | ||
TE Stephen Sullivan | Illness | DNP | Full | ||
G Austin Corbett | Knee | Limited | Limited | ||
LB Frankie Luvu | Hip | Limited | Limited | ||
OT Taylor Moton | Knee/rest | Limited | DNP | ||
S Xavier Woods | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | ||
RB Miles Sanders | Shoulder | Full | Full | ||
G Calvin Throckmorton | Calf | Full | Full | ||
G Chandler Zavala | Neck | Full | Full | ||
WR Adam Thielen | Rest | DNP | – | ||
OLB Brian Burns | Elbow | – | Limited |
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