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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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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 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 Week 3 injury report: Starting DL Shy Tuttle doubtful vs. Raiders

The Panthers will likely be without another starting defensive lineman in Week 3.

The Carolina Panthers may have even more troubling defending the run.

Friday’s injury report for this weekend’s matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders lists starting nose tackle Shy Tuttle as doubtful. Tuttle missed the entire of week practice due to a foot injury.

If Tuttle is indeed out, the Panthers will be missing two of their three opening-day starters on the defensive line—as Pro Bowler Derrick Brown is already shut down for the remainder of the campaign due to a torn meniscus. Oh, and they could possibly be down all three, as A’Shawn Robinson has been deemed questionable with a knee issue.

Carolina is currently carrying three other defensive linemen on their active roster (Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray and Jayden Peevy) and two on their practice squad (DeShawn Williams and T.J. Smith).

Here’s the team’s final injury report for Week 3:

	Injury	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Game status
DL A’Shawn Robinson	Knee	DNP	Limited	Limited	Questionable
DL Shy Tuttle	Foot	DNP	DNP	DNP	Doubtful
OLB Jadeveon Clowney	Rest	DNP	Full	Full	–
TE Feleipe Franks	Personal	DNP	Full	Full	–
G Robert Hunt	Shoulder	Limited	Full	Full	–
G Damien Lewis	Groin	Limited	Full	Full	–
TE Tommy Tremble	Hamstring/back	Limited	Limited	Limited	–
OT Taylor Moton	Rest		DNP	Full	–
CB Lonnie Johnson	Thigh		Limited	Limited	Questionable
S Nick Scott	Neck		Limited	Limited	Questionable

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Panthers DT Shy Tuttle remains out of practice on Thursday

A foot injury has kept DT Shy Tuttle out of practice for the second consecutive day.

The Carolina Panthers probably won’t have another one of their opening-day starting defensive linemen in Week 3.

Nose tackle Shy Tuttle remained out of practice on Thursday due to a foot injury. The 28-year-old defender, who is in his second season with the Panthers, was also a non-participant for yesterday’s session.

Line mate A’Shawn Robinson, however, did return to the practice field after also sitting Wednesday out. Robinson (knee) was listed as a limited participant.

Carolina is already without Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown, who will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn meniscus.

Here is the full injury report from the afternoon:

	Injury	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Game status
DL A’Shawn Robinson	Knee	DNP	Limited
DL Shy Tuttle	Foot	DNP	DNP
OLB Jadeveon Clowney	Rest	DNP	Full
TE Feleipe Franks	Personal	DNP	Full
G Robert Hunt	Shoulder	Limited	Full
G Damien Lewis	Groin	Limited	Full
TE Tommy Tremble	Hamstring/back	Limited	Limited
OT Taylor Moton	Rest		DNP
CB Lonnie Johnson	Thigh		Limited
S Nick Scott	Neck		Limited

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Panthers Wire mailbag: What fans want to know ahead of Week 1

Panthers Wire contributor Jared Feinberg answers some of your questions as we head into Week 1 of the 2024 season.

The Carolina Panthers enter the opening week of the regular season with plenty of question marks yet to be answered. Fans are curious about how their team will perform heading into the year, and want to gauge what is to come.

With Week 1 just days away, let’s reach into our very first mailbag here at Panthers Wire and answer a few of your inquiries . . .

(Note: Some questions have been edited for length and clarity.)

Expectations for Jonathan Mingo

Justin asks – What are you expecting from Jonathan Mingo in Year 2?

There was a lot of criticism about Mingo’s play as a rookie in 2023. The second-round pick’s spatial awareness and feel as a wideout were inconsistent at best—resulting in him being out of position, overrunning passes thrown his way and, overall, just offering a skill set that was plain raw.

It’s not Mingo’s fault that the bar may have been set too high. The former Ole Miss standout was a bit overdrafted, and struggled in a bad 2023 Panthers offense. Grace should be given to the 23-year-old.

Mingo turned in a terrific summer where he displayed strides as a route runner and an improved feel for the game. He all but established himself as the No. 2 outside receiver–the off-ball Z–and a potential top target for fellow draft classmate and Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.

This season should see Mingo come close to doubling his yardage total from last year, where he caught 43 passes for 413 yards and no touchdowns. He’ll be the team’s top run-after-catch playmaker outside of rookie Xavier Legette and should receive a decent number of targets.

Xavier Legette’s role in the current rotation

Chris asks – How do you think they work Leggette into the rotation? I assume he’ll start the season as WR4.

Chris, you are correct. Legette is currently listed as the team’s No. 4 receiver on the unofficial depth chart. While some fans have voiced concerns about Legette potentially not seeing ample playing time early in the season, the team’s first-round selection should hit the gridiron plenty.

Legette will likely be in when the team needs a big play downfield, or if they want to get him in space where he can split defenders and create yards after the catch. He would rotate in with Adam Thielen and Mingo, with snaps as the Z-receiver and in the slot to garner off-coverage looks. But, no, I don’t expect him to get eight to 10 targets per game—at least early on.

Look for Canales and offensive coordinator Brad Idzik to get him schemed targets and allow him to function as a quality rotational piece before getting more snaps throughout the campaign.

How the new DBs could play a role in the secondary

Malte asks – Do you see any of the new DBs cracking the rotation besides Mike Jackson?

As Malte alluded to, the team traded for Mike Jackson and is expected to start him alongside Jaycee Horn. Then, last week, Carolina took advantage of the No. 1 priority on the NFL’s waiver wire and came away with three cornerbacks.

Those three players–Keenan Isaac, Tariq Castro-Fields and Shemar Bartholomew–are all players with size, length and athleticism. That has value. It’s possible we see these three on special teams and occasionally rotated in to give Horn and Jackson a breather.

However, it’s also possible that one of these three could be inactive depending on the matchup and how each player performs in practice. All three received quite favorable Pro Football Focus grades, which matched some of the tape displayed during the preseason with their former teams.

It’s important that Carolina added bigger corners that resembled their starters. By doing this, it gives them depth with the expectation that their level of play is elevated.

Biggest strength and weakness of the roster

CoastalPanther asks – What areas of the roster do YOU feel are our strongest and weakest this season? For me, I feel for the first time in ages WR is bright and I feel DE and a strong No. 2 CB are areas of concern until we see how the new additions shake out. But, feel great with direction and seriousness.

Great question! I do agree with you that there is alignment, direction and deliberateness in the Panthers’ process currently.

President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan is making it known what he is looking for with the Seattle prototype of big, lengthy cornerbacks. I’m intrigued with the waiver wire additions. But until it shows on the field, it’s an unknown.

The biggest weakness on this roster is the No. 2 outside linebacker spot. The team claimed an undrafted free-agent edge rusher, Jamie Sheriff, to add depth to the room. However, head coach Dave Canales has yet to determine who will be starting opposite of Clowney for the season opener in New Orleans.

Carolina’s biggest strength is undoubtedly the safety room. While Canales has made an argument for his group of wideouts, it’s hard to ignore the talent and depth the team’s backend possesses.

Xavier Woods and Jordan Fuller will be manning the deep thirds this season. And backup Nick Scott, who could start on several teams, gives the unit a seamless transition if one of the two were injured.

Additionally, second-year defensive back Jammie Robinson is the physical player in the group—providing physicality and power as a tackler while adding value on special teams.

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Initial 53-man roster projection for the 2024 Panthers

Here is our final projection for the Panthers’ initial 2024 53-man roster:

Now that the preseason is officially in the books, the Carolina Panthers have another task to tackle—the big cutdown.

Between now and 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the Panthers and the rest of the NFL’s 31 teams must get down to their initial 53-player rosters.

Here is our final projection for Carolina’s initial 53:

Quarterbacks (2)

In: Bryce Young, Andy Dalton
Out: Jack Plummer

Plummer impressed in the summer finale, completing 21 of his 29 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. But that still won’t be enough to devote a third spot on the roster to a quarterback.

Running backs (4)

In: Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone
Out: Jaden Shirden
Reserve/NFI list: Jonathon Brooks

Boone has benefitted from the inactivity of both Blackshear and Brooks, who isn’t expected back for at least a handful of weeks into the regular season. And luckily for the former, his successful track record as a kick returner keeps him around.

Wide receivers (6)

In: Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, David Moore
Out: Terrace Marshall Jr., Michael Strachan, Jalen Coker, Sam Pinckney

The sixth and final spot came down to Marshall Jr. and Moore. Moore’s experience on special teams and his previous history with head coach Dave Canales in both Seattle and Tampa Bay give him the edge.

Tight ends (4)

In: Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jordan Matthews
Out: Feleipe Franks, Jacob Hollister, Jesper Horsted

Matthews earned his spot with a spectacular summer. The 32-year-old opened the preseason with a team-high 48 receiving yards in New England and ended it with a touchdown to kick off the last outing in Buffalo.

Offensive linemen (9)

In: Ikem Ekwonu, Damien Lewis, Austin Corbett, Robert Hunt, Taylor Moton, Brady Christensen, Yosh Nijman, Cade Mays, Chandler Zavala
Out: Ricky Lee, Jeremiah Crawford, Mason Brooks, Andrew Raym, Jack Anderson, Ike Boettger, Tyler Smith

Given that he’s the only true center on the roster, Raym has a shot to stick on. But the versatility of backups such as Nijman, Christensen and Mays allows the Panthers to keep the number of hog mollies at nine.

Defensive linemen (5)

In: Derrick Brown, A’Shawn Robinson, Shy Tuttle, Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray
Out: Jaden Crumedy, T.J. Smith, Ulomoo Ale, Jayden Peevy, Walter Palmore, Junior Aho

Crumedy, the team’s sixth-round selection from this spring, could be in trouble while dealing a high-ankle sprain. So could Smith, who’d be a favorite to sneak back on as a practice squad member after recording a pair of sacks this preseason.

Outside linebackers (5)

In: Jadeveon Clowney, K’Lavon Chaisson, DJ Johnson, Eku Leota, Luiji Vilain
Out: Cam Gill, Derrick McLendon, Kenny Dyson
Reserve/Physically unable to perform list: D.J. Wonnum, Amaré Barno

Vilain and Gill could be battling for the fifth locker. But if it actually doesn’t go to either, look for the Panthers to pick up a pass rusher off the street.

Inside linebackers (4)

In: Shaq Thompson, Josey Jewell, Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherelus
Out: Chandler Wooten, Tae Davis, Aaron Beasley

Canales does not take special teams prowess for granted. Cherelus and Wooten could claim spots with theirs.

Cornerbacks (6)

In: Jaycee Horn, Michael Jackson, Troy Hill, Chau Smith-Wade, Dicaprio Bootle, D’Shawn Jamison
Out: Willie Drew, Chris Wilcox, Quandre Mosely
Injured: Dane Jackson

The “significant” hamstring injury to Jackson (Dane, that is) could force the Panthers to keep a few outside options—including both Bootle and Jamison.

Safeties (5)

In: Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Jammie Robinson, Alex Cook
Out: Demani Richardson, Rudy Ford
Injured: Sam Franklin Jr.

As Canales has stated, there’s no replacing Franklin Jr.—who will be out for quite a bit while healing up a broken foot. Cook, however, could give the Panthers a little bit back on special teams.

Specialists (3)

In: Eddy Piñeiro, Johnny Hekker, JJ Jansen

Well, nothing to see here.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales names early training camp standouts

Here’s who has been catching the eye of Panthers HC Dave Canales thus far:

So, who are the early winners of training camp for Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales?

When talking with reporters following Monday’s practice, Canales was asked if there are any players (outside of the usual names) who deserve some recognition from the first week of camp. And while he said there are “a lot of guys” who are performing well, Canales boiled his choices down to a handful.

“I look at the safety group,” he replied. “Nick Scott, Alex Cook. Of course, Jordan [Fuller] and Xavier [Woods] are lookin’ fantastic. But that safety group, I’m just really pleased with how they’re communicating, running to the ball. They’re really showing the effort and strain we’re looking for.

“From a linebacker group—beyond Shaq [Thompson] and Josey [Jewell]— Trevin Wallace. Just watching him fly around—this guy is a special talent. Chased the ball down today after a play, which is what we want—we want the whole group rollin’. So showing that kind of strain.”

Wallace, who was selected with the 72nd overall pick of this year’s draft, has obviously been catching the eyes of Canales and his staff. The 21-year-old Kentucky standout is currently projected as the No. 3 inside ‘backer and could star in the succession plan for Thompson.

Canales then went on offense.

“Offensively, just looking at that receiver room, but also just the things . . . Jordan Matthews, like his effort and the things that he brings in. Stephen Sullivan just flashes ability and length, and how he’s been able to attack it. I can keep going. But what I hope for is happening—the groups are very competitive. And I hope they continue to push each other as they’re pursuing their best.”

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Ejiro Evero talks about Panthers’ familiar free-agent signings

Panthers DC Ejiro Evero will be reunited with some familiar faces from his LA and Denver days.

Continuity is key in the NFL—and unfortunately for the Carolina Panthers, they haven’t experienced a ton of it in recent years. But some familiar faces will be in the building, even if they weren’t on the team last season.

Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who was retained through the transition into new head coach Dave Canales, spoke with reporters on Thursday afternoon. He was asked about a few of the front office’s free-agent signings, particularly the ones he has a history with.

“The first part is that those guys are all very, very good football players,” Evero said. “They’re smart, they’re tough, they’re instinctive, they play hard, they’re great teammates. So from that standpoint, they uplift their team.”

Evero will be reunited with linebacker Josey Jewell, whom he coached as the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator in 2022, as well as defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson and safeties Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott—his guys over from the Los Angeles Rams days. They’ll all look to add to the defense that allowed the fourth-fewest total yards in 2023.

And although there will be some familiarity between he and his players, that doesn’t necessarily mean their roles will be the same in Carolina.

“The defense is gonna be a little bit different than how we played it in Denver, how we played it at the LA Rams,” Evero added. “So from that standpoint, it’s gonna be a little bit of an adjustment. But havin’ those guys on our team right now is such a huge step forward for us.”

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