Robert Hunt Returns to Practice as Panthers Gear Up for Playoff Push
The Carolina Panthers got a much-needed boost on Wednesday as Pro Bowl right guard Robert Hunt returned to the practice field. Hunt, who’s been sidelined since Week 3 after undergoing biceps surgery, had his 21-day practice window officially opened. That means he can be activated to the 53-man roster at any point over the next three weeks - and make no mistake, his return could be a major difference-maker down the stretch.
Hunt got hurt during the Week 2 loss to Arizona and was placed on injured reserve shortly after. Since then, the Panthers’ offensive line has been a revolving door.
Through 15 games, they’ve rolled out 11 different starting combinations - a stat that says a lot about the injuries and inconsistency up front. Getting Hunt back in the lineup would bring some much-needed stability, not to mention Pro Bowl-caliber talent, to a unit that’s been patching holes all season.
Right guard has been especially hit hard. Hunt, Chandler Zavala, Austin Corbett, and Jake Curhan have all taken turns at the spot, with Hunt, Zavala, and Corbett each spending time on injured reserve.
Zavala is currently on his second stint on the shelf. So yeah - Hunt’s return wouldn’t just be welcome, it could be essential.
And it’s clear Hunt is itching to get back on the field.
“I think seeing the guys playing well, doing good - seeing that and feeling the crowd out there - has kind of energized me in general,” Hunt said. “I go out there and it’s like, ‘(Darn), this feels good, it sounds good - I want to play.’”
That kind of energy is contagious. And with the Panthers still in the thick of the NFC South race, Hunt’s return could help set the tone for a season-defining finish. If he’s activated in time for Week 18, it could be just the jolt Carolina needs to sweep the Buccaneers and lock up what would be their most successful season in a decade.
Hunt made it clear that, regardless of the stakes, his love for the game is what’s driving him.
“I love football. I like to play football, and I haven’t played football in a minute,” he said. “So, I think I would have thought about playing no matter what, because I love the game of football and I want to play, and I like the feeling of what that does.”
Injury Notes: McMillan, Wharton, Wallace Sit Out
The Panthers were without three key starters during Wednesday’s walkthrough. Rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan (rest), defensive end Turk Wharton (hamstring), and linebacker Trevin Wallace (shoulder) all sat out.
Wharton and Wallace both missed last week’s win over Tampa Bay, and their status for Sunday’s matchup against the Seahawks remains uncertain. If Wharton can’t go, rookie defensive tackle Cam Jackson is in line for more reps. Wallace’s absence would likely mean another start for Claudin Cherelus, who’s quietly stepped up when called upon.
Here’s the full breakdown of Wednesday’s injury report:
Did Not Participate:
- DE Turk Wharton (hamstring)
- LB Trevin Wallace (shoulder)
- WR Tetairoa McMillan (rest)
Limited Participation:
- G Robert Hunt (IR/biceps)
Full Participation:
- LB Claudin Cherelus (ankle)
- LT Ikem Ekwonu (knee)
- CB Jaycee Horn (shoulder)
- C Cade Mays (elbow)
- DT Cam Jackson (ankle)
- WR David Moore (IR/elbow)
Quick Hits: Records Within Reach
Several Panthers are on the verge of hitting personal and franchise milestones as the regular season winds down:
- Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald needs just three more field goals over the final two weeks to break the franchise rookie record. He’s currently sitting at 23 makes, just two shy of Joey Slye’s 2019 mark of 25.
- Running back Rico Dowdle is 73 rushing yards away from setting a new single-season career high. He ran for 1,079 yards with Dallas last year and enters Week 17 with 1,007.
- Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is closing in on Panthers rookie history. With 924 receiving yards, he needs just 85 more to surpass Kelvin Benjamin’s 2014 rookie record of 1,008.
- Rookie pass rusher Nic Scourton is one pressure away from breaking the team’s rookie record for pressures in a season - a stat tracked since 2016. He’s currently tied with Brian Burns’ 2019 total of 27. Scourton also ranks second on the team with 3.5 sacks and six tackles for loss.
With the playoffs in sight and key players inching closer to returns and records, the Panthers are entering the final stretch with momentum - and maybe, just maybe, a little magic. If Robert Hunt can get back on the field and help solidify the offensive line, Carolina could be looking at a very real shot at making noise in January.