Smith-Wade (chest) is active for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Smith-Wade was unable to play against the Dolphins in Week 5 due to a chest injury, but he's been given the green light to play Sunday after logging full practices all week. The 2024 fifth-rounder has accumulated 10 tackles (nine solo) and a pick-six across four regular-season games.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Mike Jackson: Good to go against Dallas
Rotowire
Jackson (ribs) is active for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Jackson was a full participant in practice all week and has been cleared to play in Sunday's home tilt. The 2019 fifth-rounder has 19 tackles (16 solo) and four pass defenses (including one interception) through the first five games of the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Akayleb Evans: Sidelined for Week 6
Rotowire
Evans (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys.
Evans likely sustained a hamstring injury in Carolina's Week 5 win over the Dolphins that's now holding him out of Sunday's contest. The fourth-year pro has played just seven defensive snaps through five games, so his absence will likely have minimal impact on the Panthers' defense in Week 6.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Tershawn Wharton: Missing more time
Rotowire
Wharton (toe) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys.
The first-year Panther didn't practice all week and is now in line to miss his fourth game of the season due to hamstring and toe injuries. Wharton has found success when on the field, recording nine total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, across just 51 defensive snaps this year. LaBryan Ray is expected to continue serving as Carolina's top reserve defensive end until Wharton returns to full health.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Mike Jackson: Questionable after full practice
Rotowire
Jackson (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
Jackson carries an injury designation into Sunday's game despite being a full participant in all three of Carolina's practices. The starting outside cornerback looks more likely than not to suit up, but additional opportunities could be available for Corey Thornton if Jackson is sidelined or limited.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chau Smith-Wade: Questionable after full practices
Rotowire
Smith-Wade (chest) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
Smith-Wade seems more likely than not to play after logging three full practices, but he's still listed on the injury report. The nickel cornerback sat out Carolina's Week 5 win over the Dolphins due to a chest injury.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chau Smith-Wade: Past chest injury
Rotowire
Smith-Wade (chest) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Smith-Wade was sidelined for the Panthers' Week 5 win over the Dolphins due to a chest injury. However, his ability to practice without restriction Wednesday indicates that he should be available for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, which would revert Corey Thornton to a reserve role in the secondary. Smith-Wade has 10 tackles (nine solo) and one pick-six through four regular-season games.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Tershawn Wharton: Opens week with DNP
Rotowire
Wharton (toe) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
Wharton was unable to play in the Panthers' Week 5 win over the Dolphins due to a toe injury. He's opened the week with another DNP, so he'll have two more opportunities to return to practice in at least a limited capacity ahead of Sunday's road game against the Cowboys.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Tre'von Moehrig: Productive in win
Rotowire
Moehrig logged seven tackles (six solo) in the Panthers' win over the Dolphins on Sunday.
Moehrig finished second on the team in tackles behind Christian Rozeboom during the victory. The 26-year-old has gotten off to a strong start in his first season with Carolina, totaling 36 tackles (24 solo) across his first five outings.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Christian Rozeboom: Leading tackler in win
Rotowire
Rozeboom totaled nine tackles (five solo) during the Panthers' win versus the Dolphins on Sunday.
Rozeboom was the team's leading tackler during the victory. The 28-year-old has gotten off to a strong start this season, as he's racked up at least seven tackles in four of his first five outings. He'll look to maintain this level of production in the team's Week 6 matchup versus the Cowboys.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' LaBryan Ray: Ready for season debut
Rotowire
Ray (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Ray began the season on injured reserve due to an ankle injury, but he was activated ahead of Sunday's game. He'll likely have a limited role along Carolina's defensive line to begin his season.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Cam Jackson: Ready to take on Dolphins
Rotowire
Jackson is active for Sunday's game against Miami, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Jackson suffered a minor knee injury in Carolina's Week 4 loss to the Patriots but practiced in full throughout the week. He'll return to a minor role along the defensive line while also contributing on special teams.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' D.J. Wonnum: Returning to action
Rotowire
Wonnum (hip) is active for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Wonnum was inactive for Week 4, but his absence will be limited to only one game. He's played a versatile role, primarily as a pass rusher and coverage linebacker through three games in the season. Across three games, Wonnum has totaled six tackles, two passes defensed, one interception and one quarterback hit.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' LaBryan Ray: Activated from IR
Rotowire
The Panthers activated Ray (ankle) from injured reserve Saturday.
Despite being activated, Ray is still listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, but this at least gives him a chance to make his 2025 season debut this week. Ray appeared in 33 regular-season games over the previous two seasons, recording 60 tackles (22 solo), including 1.0 sacks.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Tershawn Wharton: Ruled out for Week 5
Rotowire
Wharton (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.
Wharton returned from a hamstring injury last Sunday against the Patriots and is now dealing with a toe issue that will cause him to miss his third game of the season. Jaden Crumedy should see elevated defensive snaps against Miami.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' LaBryan Ray: Could return in Week 5
Rotowire
Ray (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins.
The Alabama product was a full participant in practice throughout the week but must still be activated to the Panthers' active roster in order to play in Sunday's contest. If Ray suits up for Carolina in Week 5, he'll likely serve as one of the team's top reserve edge rushers.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' D.J. Wonnum: Questionable for Sunday
Rotowire
Wonnum (hip) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins.
The veteran edge rusher upgraded from limited practice Wednesday and Thursday to a full-go Friday, suggesting he's trending toward playing in Sunday's contest. Wonnum's return would be a huge addition to the Panthers' defense, as he recorded six total tackles and two passes defended, including one interception, over the team's first three games. If he's active in Week 5, he'll likely serve as Carolina's top edge rusher and start opposite Patrick Jones.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chau Smith-Wade: Out for Week 5
Rotowire
Smith-Wade (chest) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Smith-Wade didn't practice all week after sustaining a chest injury in the Panthers' Week 4 loss to the Patriots, so it's no surprise that he'll be sidelined Sunday. The second-year pro has impressed in his first season as a full-time starter, recording 10 total tackles and one pick-six through Carolina's first four games this season. While he's out in Week 5, Akayleb Evans and Corey Thornton could see increased reps with the Panthers' first-team defense.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Cam Jackson: Back to practice
Rotowire
Jackson was a full practice participant Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Jackson suffered a knee injury in Sunday's blowout loss to the Patriots, but the issue was apparently minor. He should be set to take part in the Panthers' Week 5 matchup against the Dolphins.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' LaBryan Ray: Practices in full Wednesday
Rotowire
Ray (ankle) would have been a full participant in Wednesday's practice, but the Panthers opted for a walkthrough instead of a full practice.
Ray remains on injured reserve but was designated for return Wednesday, opening his 21-day practice window. Ray appeared in 16 regular-season games last season, making nine starts, and recorded 41 tackles (15 solo), including 1.0 sacks, as a rotational defensive lineman.
