Panthers' Marco Wilson: Back up from practice squad for Week 9
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The Panthers elevated Wilson from their practice squad to their active roster Saturday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Wilson was elevated for the first time this season last weekend, and he ended up starting and logging every Panthers defensive snap against Green Bay. The veteran cornerback could do the same Sunday versus Denver, as Will Lee has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury and Akayleb Evans (triceps) is on IR. Wilson finished with eight tackles and two defensed passes in his Panthers debut.
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Panthers' Will Lee: Slated to sit out Week 9
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Lee has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Denver due to a hamstring injury.
Lee hurt his hamstring last Thursday against Green Bay and was unable to participate in practice at all this week. As such, it's not surprising that he won't suit up Sunday. Marco Wilson may be elevated from the Panthers' practice squad to start again versus the Broncos.
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Panthers' Jaelan Phillips: Will miss another game
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Phillips (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 9 battle against the Broncos.
Phillips continues to deal with a hamstring injury he suffered Week 6 against the Eagles. He didn't practice at all this week, so it doesn't seem that he was particularly close to suiting up. With Phillips set to miss his third consecutive contest, Princely Umanmielen could again be asked to step up as a pass rusher.
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Panthers' Bobby Okereke: Slated to miss Week 9
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Okereke (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Broncos.
Okereke is dealing with a foot injury that caused him to sit out practice all week. As a result, he's going to miss his first game since the 2024 campaign. Tyrel Dodson figures to get a start at linebacker in Okereke's stead.
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Panthers' Will Lee: Absent again from practice
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Lee (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.
Lee sustained a hamstring injury during the loss to the Packers in Week 8. Now, he's in danger of missing his first game of the 2026 campaign, which wouldn't be an ideal scenario for a Carolina team that is already thin at the cornerback position. If Lee is ruled out against the Broncos, the Panthers may need to look to the practice squad to fill the void.
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Panthers' Bobby Okereke: Misses practice again Thursday
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Okereke (foot) did not practice Thursday, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.
It was a second consecutive DNP for Okereke, who has yet to miss a game this season. The 30-year-old has one more opportunity to practice ahead of Sunday's game versus Denver or he could carry an injury designation. Okereke has 49 total tackles (31 solo), 1.0 sacks and one interception in his seven appearances during the 2026 campaign.
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Panthers' Bobby Brown: Full practice Wednesday
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Brown (hand) practiced fully Wednesday.
Brown missed last Thursday night's loss to the Packers but appears ready to return for Sunday's Week 9 date with Denver. He has seven tackles (one solo) and a pass breakup across 142 defensive snaps this season.
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Panthers' Bobby Okereke: Doesn't practice Wednesday
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Okereke (foot) didn't participate in Carolina's practice Wednesday.
Okereke popped up on the injury report due to a foot injury and is now in danger of missing his first game of the season. If the 2019 third-round pick ends up being unable to play in Sunday's matchup against the Broncos, Tyrel Dodson would likely get the start in his place.
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Panthers' Zakee Wheatley: Secures interception in loss
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Wheatley recorded seven total tackles (four solo) and an interception during Thursday night's 27-19 loss to the Packers.
Wheatley was able to secure a career-high seven stops while his biggest play of the game came in the fourth quarter when he picked off a deep pass from Packers quarterback Jordan Love. The interception was the first of the Wheatley's career, and the rookie has now compiled 26 total tackles (19 solo), four passes defensed and a forced fumble over six contests during the 2026 campaign.
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Panthers' Will Lee: Day to day
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Lee (hamstring) is day to day but should have a chance to "test" his injury this week, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Lee suffered the hamstring injury during Carolina's loss to Green Bay on Thursday night. The fourth-round pick has played a starting role for the Panthers in the wake of injuries to corners Jaycee Horn (quadriceps), Mike Jackson (groin) and Akayleb Evans (triceps).
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Panthers' Jaelan Phillips: Trends toward return
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Phillips (hamstring) is considered day-to-day, Joe Person of The Athletic reported Monday.
Phillips has not practiced since aggravating a hamstring injury in the Panthers' Week 6 win over the Eagles. The linebacker is steadily recovering and enters Week 9 prep as a potential day-to-day practice participant. If Phillips can suit up this Sunday, he will be faced with the Broncos' dominant offensive line in his return.
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Marco Wilson: Reverts to practice squad
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Wilson reverted to Carolina's practice squad Friday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Wilson got his first elevation of the season ahead of Thursday's loss to Green Bay and ended up logging every defensive snap for the Panthers. He finished with eight tackles (six solo) in his first appearance since Week 12 of last year. Wilson has two more practice-squad elevations remaining, and he could get another opportunity in Week 9 if Will Lee (hamstring) can't suit up, as Akayleb Evans (triceps) is set to miss at least three more contests while on IR.
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Panthers' Will Lee: Suffers hamstring injury Thursday
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Lee is dealing with a hamstring injury and is doubtful to return to Thursday's Week 8 matchup against Green Bay, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Lee was hurt in the first half and was deemed doubtful to return shortly before halftime. In the expected event that Lee can't re-enter the contest, Marco Wilson and Malcolm DeWalt will likely handled much of the cornerback snaps for Carolina.
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Panthers' Bobby Brown: Unavailable for TNF
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Brown (hand) is inactive for Thursday night's matchup against the Packers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official website reports.
Brown will be forced to miss Week 8 as he nurses an apparent hand injury. In his absence, Aaron Hall and TeRah Edwards are both candidates to see an increase in workload on Carolina's defensive line.
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Panthers' Akayleb Evans: Ruled out for TNF
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Evans (triceps) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday night's game against the Packers.
Evans logged three consecutive DNPs in Week 8 prep. The cornerback was unable to overcome his new injury during the Panthers' short week, leaving him sidelined for Thursday's contest. Will Lee and Chau Smith-Wade are now the only cornerbacks on the Panthers' active roster, meaning multiple defensive backs will likely be elevated to the active roster for Thursday's game.
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Panthers' Jaelan Phillips: Won't play Thursday
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Phillips (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday night's game against the Packers.
Phillips did not practice at all during the Panthers' Week 8 prep. The linebacker aggravated a hamstring injury in the team's Week 6 win over the Eagles and continues to pay the price. It is unclear whether Phillips is tracking to return to practice ahead of Week 9 or will need to miss even more time due to the injury.
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Panthers' Devin Lloyd: Records four tackles in Week 7 loss
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Lloyd posted four tackles in Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers.
Lloyd had a pretty quiet game, as the four stops tied his lowest mark of the campaign. He logged at least nine tackles in each of his first three contests, so he'll likely perk up his tackle production soon. Lloyd had been quite productive this season as a whole, as he's recorded 2.0 sacks and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
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Panthers' Bobby Okereke: Logs season-high 10 stops Week 7
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Okereke tallied 10 tackles (seven solo) and a defensed pass in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay.
Okereke paced the Panthers in stops during a tough day for the team's defense, as Tampa Bay cruised to a 43-13 win. The veteran linebacker reached the double-digit tackle mark for the first time this season, and he's posted six or more stops in five of his six games. On the season, Okereke leads Carolina with 44 tackles, including 1.0 sacks, and has added five defensed passes (including one interception) and one forced fumble.
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Panthers' Jaelan Phillips: Listed as DNP on Monday
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Phillips (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimate.
Phillips aggravated a hamstring injury in the Week 6 victory over Philadelphia and was subsequently ruled out for Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay. If Phillips can't suit up for a second consecutive game, Princely Umanmielen should continue to receive more snaps.
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Panthers' Akayleb Evans: DNP on Monday's practice estimate
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Evans (triceps/knee) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimate.
With Jaycee Horn (quadriceps) and Mike Jackson (groin) both on injured reserve, Evans started in Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers, finishing with two total tackles (two solo). The 27-year-old will have a few more days to get healthy ahead of Thursday's game against Green Bay, but if he can't suit up, Chau Smith-Wade and Robert Rochell could be in line for more snaps.
