The Carolina Panthers got a little healthier on Thursday, and the biggest update came at wide receiver.
Jalen Coker, who has been working through a quadriceps injury he picked up in the Week 3 loss to the Cleveland Browns, moved up in practice participation. That’s the kind of step the Panthers needed as they head toward their Week 4 matchup with the Detroit Lions.
Coker was one of five players to see an upgrade from Wednesday’s report. Monroe Freeling, Chuba Hubbard, Princely Umanmielen and Darren Waller also took a step forward.
For Coker and Freeling, the limited work at least keeps the door open for Sunday. They are now trending toward questionable, at best, with Friday’s report still to come.
That matters more than usual for Carolina, which looks like it could be extremely thin at receiver if Coker can’t go and Legette ends up missing another week. Even so, Coker is still not in the clear and could still be looking at a game-time decision.
Freeling’s status could have a direct effect on the offensive line. If he’s unavailable, Stone Forsythe would be next up on the depth chart and likely gets the call. Damien Lewis, who is expected to miss multiple weeks because of a UCL injury, would probably be replaced by Corey Bullock.
Umanmielen’s Thursday session was a full one, which removes any lingering concern about his availability. That’s welcome news for a Panthers pass rush that could use every bit of help it can get, especially with the secondary already taking a hit after Mike Jackson and Jaycee Horn were placed on injured reserve on Wednesday.
There was also good news for Carolina on the defensive side, with Nick Scott and Devin Lloyd both appearing on track to return after missing last week. Each has put together full practices on consecutive days.
In Other News...
Bryce Young Suddenly Has A New Panthers Safety Valve
The Panthers are trying to steady things after a 1-2 start and a loss to Cleveland, and the timing is not exactly ideal. With starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson now on injured reserve and left guard Damien Lewis expected to miss time with an elbow injury, Carolina is dealing with injuries on both sides of the ball while trying to keep Bryce Young moving forward after a promising first few weeks.
One reason the offense has looked more equipped to help him has been the growing role of the tight ends, with Darren Waller getting more involved than Carolina has typically leaned on in recent seasons. Young has thrown for 939 yards and seven touchdowns so far, and the expanded use of tight ends gives the quarterback another outlet as the Panthers try to protect a young offense that is still searching for consistency. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Face A Real Odell Beckham Jr. Debate After Latest Exit
Odell Beckham Jr. is back on the market after the New York Giants moved on from him following three games without a catch, and that instantly pushes his name into the kind of conversation teams with receiver concerns cannot ignore. For Carolina, the fit is easy to understand on paper: the Panthers could use more depth at wideout, and a veteran with Beckhams profile would at least bring proven presence to a room that could use another established option.
Carolina has not confirmed any workout or signing, which is where the discussion stays for now. Still, the possibility alone makes for an interesting decision point, because adding Beckham would not just be about filling a roster spot, but about weighing whether the Panthers want to chase upside and experience at a position that remains under scrutiny. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers May Need To Test A Rookie Answer On The O-Line
Luke Fortners early-season work at center has put the Panthers in a familiar spot for any team trying to sort out its offensive line: live with the current setup, or start looking for a better long-term answer. Through the first three games, his grades have been low and the pressure he has allowed has become hard to ignore, leaving Carolina with a decision point in the middle of the line.
Sam Hecht is the rookie name that could force the issue. A fifth-round pick with limited playing time so far, he has not been asked to do much yet, but that also means the Panthers still do not know exactly what they have in him. Giving Hecht a start would be less about a quick fix than a real evaluation, and for a team still trying to stabilize up front, that kind of information can matter just as much as the result of one Sunday. [Read more 🡒]