The Panthers stood pat at the trade deadline, but help may already be on the way.
Carolina has spent the last few weeks getting hit from every direction, and the injury list is a big reason the season has gone sideways. The team has dropped three straight after opening 3-2, and the defense in particular has been stripped down.
Starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson have both been on injured reserve since Week 3, and their replacements, Will Lee III and Akayleb Evans, have also been sidelined. That has forced Marco Wilson and Chau Smith-Wade into starting roles, and Sunday’s loss to the Broncos made it clear that pairing is not working as a long-term answer.
The absences haven’t stopped there. Jaelan Phillips, Carolina’s premier pass rusher after signing a four-year, $120 million deal in free agency, has been out since Week 7 with a hamstring injury.
The offense has been dealing with its own damage. Right tackle Taylor Moton is on IR after fracturing his fibula.
Wide receiver Xavier Legette hasn’t played since Week 2, when he hurt his knee in a win over the Atlanta Falcons. Running back Jonathon Brooks also went down in that game, suffering a groin injury that sent him to IR.
Even with all of that stacked against them, the Panthers did not make a move to add depth before the deadline.
Instead, they’re banking on familiar faces returning soon, and head coach Dave Canales sounded encouraged when he spoke to reporters on November 9th, the day before the NFL trade deadline.
“It’s getting very exciting with some of the guys that are close. And those are conversations were having today, tomorrow, as we have these days to evaluate them.
We’re talking about Jaycee, Mike, we’re talking about Jonathon Brooks. [They’re] all going through their processes to see when they’re ready to come back.”
“Xavier is another one, and I’m so excited for where they are. We got to take in these next two days to see what it’s going to look like going into the weekend.”
That optimism doesn’t mean Carolina is about to get everyone back at once. It’s highly unlikely all of those players will be ready for Sunday’s division matchup with the Saints.
Still, there are signs of progress. Mike Jackson returned to practice on Wednesday, which is a strong indicator.
Horn remains on IR, while Legette and Phillips have also gotten back on the practice field.
So while the Panthers passed on deadline help, they could still walk into New Orleans with a healthier roster than they’ve had in weeks. If those reinforcements are active and productive, the decision to stay quiet at the deadline won’t look nearly as harsh.
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Carolina has been navigating absences and limited availability from players such as Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson and Jaelan Phillips, even as some have started to work their way back into practice. Entering Week 10, the Panthers sit 22nd in overall defense, which underscores how much work remains before the group can look settled again. [Read more 🡒]