Tag: xavier woods

Saints share update on Chris Olave injury vs. Panthers

The Saints issued a positive health update on Chris Olave after he sustained a concussion in a big hit against the Panthers:

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave has movement in his extremities and is being evaluated at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center after being diagnosed with a concussion against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, the team announced on social media.

Olave briefly lost consciousness on the field after a big hit from Panthers safety Xavier Woods, who drew a foul for unnecessary roughness on the  play. He was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game.

This would be the fourth concussion in a series of brain injuries for Olave. The young pro has switched helmets and considered wearing a Guardian cap into games to better protect himself, but it’s something that must be handled seriously. We may be entering the point where his NFL future should be contemplated. For now, though, here’s to a full recovery.

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Chris Olave carted off after scary hit vs. Panthers

Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was carted off on an immobilizing stretcher after a scary hit from Panthers safety Xavier Woods:


This is the worst thing to see in an NFL game. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was carted off on an immobilizing stretcher after a scary hit from Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods. Derek Carr’s pass sailed too high for Olave to catch it and the wideout was sandwiched between Woods and the Panthers defender covering him. He remained motionless on the turf after the collision.

Players from both teams crowded around as the medical staff attended to Olave, as did Saints coach Dennis Allen. It’s an awful situation. Olave raised his arms after he was placed on the cart, which is a great sign, but he’s already suffered three concussions in his brief NFL career. He practiced this  week with a unique Guardian cap over his helmet and considered wearing it into the game, but ultimately chose not to. Few players do.

Hopefully this wasn’t as serious as it looked, but Olave shouldn’t be expected to return to this game against the Panthers. Stay tuned for updates.

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Carolina Panthers vs. Cincinnati Bengals game recap: Everything we know

The Panthers’ hopes for an actual winning streak were scratched on Sunday.

After a triumphant showing in Week 3, the Carolina Panthers fell a bit short of stringing together a winning streak on Sunday.

Here’s everything we know from the team’s Week 4 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals . . .

Final score: Bengals 34, Panthers 24

Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Keys to the game

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
  • Poor tackling from the Panthers defense opened up quite a few big-play opportunities for the Bengals. The most lethal instance came around the midway point of the second quarter, when Cincinnati wideout Ja’Marr Chase bounced off multiple would-be tacklers en route to a 63-yard touchdown.
  • The suboptimal form also leaked onto the ground, where the Bengals rushed for 141 yards and two scores. Second-year running back Chase Brown led the way for Cincinnati with 80 yards and two touchdowns.
  • Carolina’s ability to establish the run on their end kept them alive. The Panthers grounded and pounded for 155 yards and a touchdown on 29 attempts.

It was over when . . .

Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Despite being down 31-14 with under three minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Panthers made a ballgame out of it. Carolina chipped away with a 21-yard touchdown connection between quarterback Andy Dalton and receiver Diontae Johnson, and then a 48-yard field goal from kicker Eddy Piñeiro.

But the Bengals put the comeback on ice, forcing a three-and-out of the Panthers offense with under five minutes left in the game. Cincinnati then proceeded to bleed clock, giving way to a 46-yard field goal from Evan McPherson for a 34-24 lead at the 1:14 mark.

Players of the game

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  • RB Chuba Hubbard: 18 carries, 104 yards, touchdown, four receptions, 17 receiving yards
  • WR Diontae Johnson: seven receptions, 83 yards, touchdown
  • S Xavier Woods: 10 tackles, interception

What’s next?

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Panthers (1-3) will travel to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Bears (2-2) in Week 5.

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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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3 key matchups for Raiders vs Panthers

3 key matchups for Raiders vs Panthers

At first glance, it would appear the Panthers don’t have a lot going for them. That may be true. But they’re still an NFL team with NFL players who can jump up and bite you if you’re not careful. 

And the Raiders may be coming off an impressive comeback win against the Ravens in Baltimore, but that doesn’t mean they’ve clearly established themselves as some elite team. They still have to prove it over the season with their opponents collecting more and more game tape on them.

These matchups could play a major role in the outcome of this game.

CB Jack Jones vs WR Xavier Legette

Legette was the Panthers’ top pick in this year’s draft. He led the team in catches (4) in the opener, but didn’t see a target last week in a loss to the Chargers. Now the Chargers have benched Bryce Young in favor of Andy Dalton, which figures to at least awaken the pass game. This would, in turn, see Legette get some more targets as their best receiver. 

Legette will face off against a fiery competitor in Jack Jones who has great hands as well to make Dalton pay for any mistakes.

TE Brock Bowers vs Xavier Woods/Jordan Fuller

Woods and Fuller are the safeties for the Panthers. They will switch off in trying to keep the Raiders phenom tight end under wraps. Bowers has 15 catches already this season and is proving himself to be a top target for Gardner Minshew. You can bet on any given play either Woods or Fuller will guarding Bowers.

DE Maxx Crosby vs T Taylor Moton

Moton will be tasked with trying to keep Crosby from wrecking this game. The veteran tackle is no slouch. This is his seventh season as the Panthers’ full time starting right tackle. And he’s never missed a game. So, it’s safe to say there isn’t a caliber of edge rusher in this league he hasn’t faced. Including last week when he faced Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. The only sack allowed was not on Moton, but Bryce Young for not stepping up into the pocket.

Andy Dalton will need at least a bit of time to try and find an open receiver. He can’t be worrying he’s going to get smacked in under two seconds on every play or running for his life all day. That’s what Crosby did to Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson the first two weeks. Last week against the Ravens, he went on to win AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Panthers S Xavier Woods on Week 1 loss to Saints: ‘That was an [expletive]-whooping’

Panthers S Xavier Woods asked reporters to excuse his language while talking about his team’s Week 1 loss to the Saints.

Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods has perfectly summed up Sunday’s brutal defeat — and he only needed one phrase to do it.

The New Orleans Saints came marching in on Woods and the Panthers yesterday, handing the visitors a 47-10 loss to open their 2024 season. Carolina was thoroughly outmatched from start to finish, allowing their hosts to dominate in all three phases of the game.

Woods, in a chat with Carolina Blitz editor Vashti Hurt on Monday, was asked what went wrong for his team in the beatdown.

“Everything,” he replied. “Everything. Everything went wrong. We wasn’t all keyed in. That was, excuse my language, that was an [expletive]-whooping. We went and looked at the tape and everything went wrong. We didn’t do a lot of good. So, we gotta take that on the chin.”

Woods and the defense took nine straight scoring drives to the chin in Week 1, getting their first stop of the New Orleans offense with 4:37 remaining in the contest. By game’s end, the Saints had rushed for 180 yards while setting a franchise record for their largest opening-week victory.

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Best and worst PFF grades from Panthers’ Week 1 loss to Saints

Panthers QB Bryce Young was saddled with the second-worst PFF grade of his career.

As painful as this may be—let’s give it a go, shall we?

Here are the best and worst Pro Football Focus grades for the Carolina Panthers from their horrendous season-opening loss to the New Orleans Saints:

Best of the offense

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1. LG Damien Lewis: 80.0
1. TE Feleipe Franks: 80.0
3. RG Robert Hunt: 79.5
4. C Austin Corbett: 71.7
5. RB Mike Boone: 69.0

Well, at least those investments on the interior offensive line paid off right away.

Only one pressure was attributed to the trio of Lewis, Hunt and Corbett. Each earned a pass-blocking grade of at least 84.6.

Worst of the offense

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

15. QB Andy Dalton: 53.3
16. TE Jordan Matthews: 47.5
17. TE Ja’Tavion Sanders: 47.4
18. WR Jonathan Mingo: 45.2
19. QB Bryce Young: 32.6

Young brings up the rear after one of the stinkiest showings of his NFL career. He completed 13 of his 30 passes for 161 yards and two errant interceptions.

Best of the defense

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

1. DE A’Shawn Robinson: 73.0
2. SS Xavier Woods: 71.5
3. DT Jayden Peevy: 70.8
4. OLB Jadeveon Clowney: 69.5
5. CB Mike Jackson: 65.1

Robinson, another free-agent signing from this spring, also played well in his Panthers debut. He, as did Woods, recorded a pair of stops.

Worst of offense

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

13. MLB Josey Jewell: 48.7
14. DE Derrick Brown: 47.7
15. DT Nick Thurman: 46.2
16. NT Shy Tuttle: 29.5
17. FS Jordan Fuller: 28.0

Fuller, in his first outing for Carolina, was charged with five receptions for 116 yards on five targets.

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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

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

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

Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

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

Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

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

Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

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 rule out 17 players for preseason finale vs. Bills

The Panthers have ruled out a few projected starters from their preseason finale this afternoon.

All, or at least most, seems to be going according to plan for the Carolina Panthers today.

The team has ruled out 17 players from this afternoon’s preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills. Those inactives are as follows:

  • RB Raheem Blackshear
  • RB Jonathon Brooks
  • TE Ian Thomas
  • TE Tommy Tremble
  • OT Yosh Nijman
  • G Damien Lewis
  • G Cade Mays
  • C Austin Corbett
  • DE Jaden Crumedy
  • OLB Amaré Barno
  • OLB Jadeveon Clowney
  • OLB D.J. Wonnum
  • ILB Tae Davis
  • CB Jaycee Horn
  • CB Dane Jackson
  • S Sam Franklin Jr.
  • S Xavier Woods

While at least eight of the above inactives are projected starters for the 2024 season, the Panthers are expected to play some first-stringers at Highmark Stadium on Saturday. Among those players includes quarterback Bryce Young, whom head coach Dave Canales spoke about earlier this week.

“Operation, right?” Canales said of what he wants to see from Young in his preseason debut. “I wanna see things run smoothly. I’d wanna see just the communication, the in-between drives conversations, all that stuff that is so valuable.

“And he’s kinda been just around all those things as we’ve been doing it the last few weeks. Hopefully, to pick up some of those things.”

The contest is set to kick off at 1 p.m. ET.

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