Tag: robert hunt

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

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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

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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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Key matchups for Panthers vs. Raiders in Week 3

The Panthers’ hog mollies will have their hands full in Las Vegas on Sunday.

If the Carolina Panthers are to lucky against the Las Vegas Raiders in Sin City on Sunday, here are four key matchups that will help them hit the jackpot . . .

Panthers RT Taylor Moton vs. Raiders DE Maxx Crosby

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If Carolina wants to get its passing game going, they’ll have to keep Crosby away from new starting quarterback Andy Dalton as much as possible. That’ll be the primary job of Moton, who is coming off another tough assignment out of the AFC West in Joey Bosa.

The eighth-year hog molly, per Pro Football Focus, allowed zero pressures in the 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Panthers G Austin Corbett and RG Robert Hunt vs. Raiders DT Christian Wilkins

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If Carolina wants to establish the run, then they’ll have keep Wilkins (if he plays) from eating up space. Just as a reminder, it was Wilkins who held the single-season tackles record for a defensive lineman before Carolina’s Derrick Brown broke it in 2023.

Like their line mate in Moton, both Corbett and Hunt have been reliable in passing game—as opponents have produced just one pressure against the duo. Hunt, in particular, is also thriving through the ground—as he’s earned a 73.8 run-blocking grade from PFF.

Panthers OLB Jadeveon Clowney vs. Raiders RT Thayer Munford Jr.

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Las Vegas quarterback Gardner Minshew has recorded 428 passing yards from a clean pocket, the third-highest such total thus far. So he may have himself quite a day against the Carolina defense, which has tallied only two takedowns of opposing quarterbacks.

Clowney has to get it going against Munford Jr., who has been charged with a pair of sacks entering Week 3.

Panthers ILB Shaq Thompson vs. Raiders TE Brock Bowers

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Bowers is a pretty special talent at the tight end position, and the defensive deployments for the rookie have proven exactly that. The 13th overall pick, who is already at 156 receiving yards and 17 targets, has been lined up against linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties in his first two pro games.

The Raiders will probably try to get him matched with the ‘backers as much as they can on Sunday.

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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 boast some of PFF’s highest-graded OLs entering Week 3

The hog mollies in Carolina have been putting in work to start the season.

Between their disappointing 0-2 start and the benching of last year’s No. 1 overall pick, the Carolina Panthers haven’t given fans much reason to smile to start the 2024 campaign. But there may just be one thing in Charlotte worth celebrating.

The hog mollies have flown under the radar in the first two weeks of the season. A major point of emphasis during the spring, the retooled offensive line is churning out some of the best numbers in the NFL thus far.

According to Pro Football Focus, it’s Austin Corbett who’s leading all players at his position in pass protection. The guard-turned-center has yet to relinquish a single pressure and currently has an 83.5 pass-blocking grade—the highest at the spot.

Robert Hunt, Corbett’s reason for his transition to the middle, has been getting some work in as well. The $100 million man is earning his huge deal to this point, ranking second amongst all guards with an 86.0 pass-blocking mark.

Fellow free-agent signee and guard Damien Lewis isn’t too shabby either, ranking 16th in the category with a 76.6 grade.

While both tackles for the Panthers fall a bit behind their interior, they have still been solid. Right tackle Taylor Moton, in particular, grades out as the 15th-best offensive tackle in pass protection (77.6).

So even though the offense as a whole has been hindered by suboptimal quarterback play, one could point to this offensive line as a reason to still have hope for the group. And with a more functional quarterback under center, perhaps the team can actually find its first win (and smiles) of the season.

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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 hold out 3 defensive starters from Wednesday’s practice

Panthers starting defensive linemen A’Shawn Robinson and Shy Tuttle were out of practice on Wednesday due to injuries.

Taking away Pro Bowler Derrick Brown for the rest of the season seemingly may not be enough for the injury bug—as it’s now come for the rest of the Carolina Panthers’ starting defensive line.

A’Shawn Robinson (knee) and Shy Tuttle (foot) both missed Wednesday’s practice, the first ahead of the team’s Week 3 visit to see the Las Vegas Raiders. Outside of Brown, Robinson and Tuttle, the Panthers are 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).

Starting outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney was also held out. But, as was the case last Wednesday, the 11th-year veteran was just taking a rest day.

Here’s the full injury report from the session:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
DL A’Shawn Robinson Knee DNP
DL Shy Tuttle Foot DNP
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Rest DNP
TE Feleipe Franks Personal DNP
G Robert Hunt Shoulder Limited
G Damien Lewis Groin Limited
TE Tommy Tremble Hamstring/back Limited

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Best and worst PFF grades from Panthers’ Week 2 loss to Chargers

Once again, QB Bryce Young finished with the worst offensive grade for the Panthers.

The Carolina Panthers gave us some more of the same here in Week 2. Sunday’s home opener, like last week’s regular-season opener, yielded a punchless performance—leading to a 26-3 loss at the hands of the visiting Los Angeles Chargers.

Their outing also led to some more of the same from Pro Football Focus.

Here are the best and worst grades from the latest defeat:

Best of the offense

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1. RG Robert Hunt: 74.1
2. TE Jordan Matthews: 69.8
3. RT Taylor Moton: 67.1
4. RB Miles Sanders: 67.0
5. RB Chuba Hubbard: 65.7

Both Hunt, who finished in the top five last week, and Moton didn’t allow a single pressure.

Hubbard led the offense with 64 rushing yards on 10 carries.

Worst of the offense

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12. WR Jonathan Mingo: 52.3
13. LG Damien Lewis: 51.6
14. WR Xavier Legette: 51.1
15. TE Ja’Tavion Sanders: 42.1
16. QB Bryce Young: 38.8

Young ends up at the very bottom for the second straight game, passing for a career-low 84 yards and an interception. His 32.6 grade last week and his 38.8 grade this week account for second- and third-worst PFF marks of his career.

Best of the defense

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

1. FS Jordan Fuller: 74.1
2. CB Jaycee Horn: 69.5
3. CB Mike Jackson: 65.7
4. ILB Shaq Thompson: 65.4
5. DT Jayden Peevy: 58.6

Horn bounced back after being on the butt of a 29-yard touchdown pass to wideout Quentin Johnston in the first quarter. He allowed just five more receiving yards the rest of the way out while picking up his first interception of the season and three stops.

Worst of the defense

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

12. OLB Eku Leota: 49.4
13. DE A’Shawn Robinson: 46.2
14. DT Nick Thurman: 45.4
15. DE LaBryan Ray: 43.1
16. OLB Jadeveon Clowney: 30.5

Clowney was tied for a team-high two pressures, but was charged with a pair of catches for 30 yards.

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Panthers Week 2 injury report: 5 players questionable for home opener vs. Chargers

A handful of Panthers are listed as questionable for Sunday’s home opener against the Chargers.

The Carolina Panthers have a handful of question marks entering their home opener this weekend.

Friday’s injury report, the final listing ahead of the Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, deemed five players as questionable for Sunday. Those players include running back and return specialist Raheem Blackshear (personal), tight end Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back), starting right tackle Taylor Moton (knee), starting right guard Damien Lewis (groin) and punter Johnny Hekker (back).

Head coach Dave Canales, however, told reporters following today’s practice that he expects all of the questionables to play.

Five others were down without injury designations for the contest. That bunch included veteran wideout Adam Thielen, who was a full participant despite being added to the report this afternoon.

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
P Johnny Hekker Back DNP Limited Full Questionable
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Ankle DNP Limited Full –
G Robert Hunt Shoulder Limited Limited Limited –
G Damien Lewis Groin Limited Limited Limited Questionable
OT Yosh Nijman Tibia Limited Full Limited –
TE Tommy Tremble Hamstring/back Limited Limited Limited Questionable
RB Raheem Blackshear Personal DNP DNP Questionable
OT Taylor Moton Rest/knee DNP Limited Questionable
ILB Josey Jewell Groin Limited Limited –
WR Adam Thielen Shoulder Full –

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Panthers add starting ILB Josey Jewell to injury report on Thursday

The Panthers added three players to their injury report on Thursday, including ILB Josey Jewell.

The Carolina Panthers added a trio of new faces to their Week 2 injury report on Thursday. Only one, however, could be a cause for concern.

Starting inside linebacker Josey Jewell popped up on this afternoon’s listing with a groin issue. The seventh-year veteran was down as a limited participant for today’s practice.

Jewell’s addition was joined by that of offensive tackle Taylor Moton and running back/return specialist Raheem Blackshear. Both absences, however, were not injury-related—as Moton received rest and Blackshear was away due to personal reasons.

In a bit of good news, three players received a bump in their statuses—offensive tackle Yosh Nijman, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and punter Johnny Hekker.

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
P Johnny Hekker Back DNP Limited
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Ankle DNP Limited
G Robert Hunt Shoulder Limited Limited
G Damien Lewis Groin Limited Limited
OT Yosh Nijman Tibia Limited Full
TE Tommy Tremble Hamstring/back Limited Limited
RB Raheem Blackshear Personal DNP
OT Taylor Moton Rest DNP
ILB Josey Jewell Groin Limited

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