Greg Olsen didn’t need to watch every snap to know why the Panthers have hit a rough patch.
The former Carolina standout, who spent nine seasons with the franchise, told Scott Fowler of The Charlotte Observer that the team’s recent slide makes sense when you look at what’s happened on defense and who’s been unavailable.
“I haven’t had one of their games (as a broadcaster this season)... So I just get it from local radio, Twitter and talking to buddies, like a normal fan would….
There are always multiple reasons for struggling, right? The big story for them is letting (defensive coordinator Ejiro) Evero go.
They made some heavy investments on the defensive side of the ball, with Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd…. I think they’re in the process of program building.
Roster building. When you lose star players for extended periods of time - Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, Jaelan Phillips - it’s tough.”
And that’s been the story of Carolina’s season. The Panthers came into the year expecting a meaningful jump on defense, but injuries have kept that from happening.
Horn and Jackson, a cornerback pairing that ranks among the league’s best when healthy, have both been out since Week 3. Phillips, who signed a four-year, $120 million deal in the offseason, has missed the last three games with a lingering hamstring issue.
There is at least some encouraging news on that front.
Jackson was one of three players designated to return to practice on Wednesday, and he was a full participant. That gives him a real shot to be back for Sunday’s matchup with the .
Phillips also practiced in full.
Horn, though, appears to need more time. After Wednesday’s session, head coach Dave Canales said the two-time Pro Bowler still has some hurdles to clear before he can get back on the practice field.
Carolina heads into Week 10 with the 22nd-ranked defense overall.
In Other News...
Panthers Injury Report Suddenly Raises A Bigger Week 10 Concern
A midweek injury report usually offers a little clarity, but Thursdays update for Carolina only added another layer of uncertainty. Left guard Damien Lewis and outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips both went from full participation on Wednesday to limited work a day later, while nine other players were able to stay on the field in full capacity as the Panthers moved deeper into Week 10 preparation.
The more concerning development was inside linebacker Bobby Okereke missing practice entirely because of a foot injury. With the week already turning into a test of depth and availability, Carolina now has to monitor whether the issue is a short-term setback or something that could affect the lineup when the Panthers get closer to game day. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Suddenly Have A Mike Tomlin Question Fans Can't Ignore
Mike Tomlins name has already started to surface in the early conversation around the next wave of NFL coaching openings, and Carolina is among the teams being mentioned. The longtime Steelers coach, now working as an NFL analyst for NBC after stepping down in Pittsburgh, has not closed the door on a return to the sideline, even if he says he has not spent much time thinking about it.
For Panthers fans, the intrigue is obvious because any serious coaching search tends to start with the biggest names available, and Tomlin still fits that category. Reports have tied him to a handful of potential vacancies, including the Jets, Cowboys, Eagles and Colts, but for now he says his attention is on broadcasting and he will weigh coaching opportunities if they come his way. [Read more 🡒]
Jaycee Horns Status Could Decide Carolinas Defensive Push
Jaycee Horns move to Injured Reserve has left a noticeable hole in Carolinas secondary, and the Panthers are still waiting to see how much of the season he can salvage after the torn quad he suffered after Week 3. Dave Canales said Horn is making progress on a week-to-week basis, and the cornerback is pushing hard to get back on the field before the year ends.
For a defense that has already felt the impact of his absence, Horns timeline matters as the Panthers head into their Week 10 matchup with the New Orleans Saints. Carolina has had to keep adjusting without one of its top cover players, and the next stretch will show whether that aggressive rehab can translate into a late-season return. [Read more 🡒]