Coker (quadriceps) was a full practice participant Wednesday.
It was his first practice since Aug. 28, but the full participation suggests Coker has a chance to play this Sunday against the Cowboys. Carolina could certainly use his help, as the team is currently getting minimal production from any of the wide receivers behind No. 1 target Tetairoa McMillan. Coker split time between the slot and perimeter as a UDFA-turned-starter in 2024, presumably giving him a good feel for Dave Canales' offensive system as he prepares for a late start to his second NFL season. Coker soon figures to take playing time away from Xavier Legette and/or Hunter Renfrow.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: Practice window opens
Rotowire
The Panthers are designating Coker (quadriceps) to return to practice from IR on Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
The transaction opens a 21-day window wherein Coker can be evaluated at practice without counting against the 53-man roster. Carolina can activate him at any point during that time, including getting him back on the field as early as Sunday versus the Cowboys. He's recovering from a quad injury suffered Aug. 28.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: Stashes (WR Preview)
Rotowire
Coker may still be a couple of weeks away, but this Panthers offense is desperate for another wide receiver to step up alongside Tetairoa McMillan. In the last seven games of his rookie season Coker averaged 10.4 PPR FPPG. The way this position looks right now, that could be very helpful.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: Week 6 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
Coker (quadriceps) has missed the first five games of the season, but Dave Canales said Monday that he will return to practice Wednesday. We hope he will play in Week 5 against Miami, and then he gets the Cowboys in Week 6 and the Jets in Week 7. We could be looking at Coker as a starting option in three-receiver leagues right away, and he should be added in all leagues for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAB. When healthy, Coker should be the No. 2 receiver for the Panthers behind Tetairoa McMillan, and Bryce Young is expected to lean heavily on Coker as a go-to target in the passing game.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: In line to practice next week
Rotowire
Coach Dave Canales said Friday that the Panthers will open Coker's (quadriceps) 21-day window to return from injured reserve next week, Joe Person of The Athletic reports. "Coker is doing great," Canales added. "He's hitting some top speeds. Now, it's about capacity."
Coker sustained a quad injury in practice on Aug. 28 that forced the Panthers to place him on IR not long afterward. Initial reports noted he was slated to sit out 4-to-6 games, and as of this Sunday's contest versus the Dolphins, he'll reach have reached five games missed. Carolina will need to designate Coker to return from injured reserve in order for him to practice.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: Stashes (WR Preview)
Rotowire
Coker may still be a couple of weeks away, but this Panthers offense is desperate for another wide receiver to step up alongside Tetairoa McMillan. In the last seven games of his rookie season Coker averaged 10.4 PPR FPPG. The way this position looks right now, that could be very helpful.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: Week 5 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
Coker (quadriceps) is eligible to come off injured reserve in Week 5 against Miami, and we hope he's healthy enough to return. The Panthers have a great upcoming schedule against the Dolphins, Cowboys and Jets in the next three games, and Coker could make an immediate impact in Fantasy and reality. He's worth adding in all leagues where available for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAB, and Bryce Young should lean on Coker as the No. 2 option in the passing game opposite Tetairoa McMillan.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: Still week-to-week
Rotowire
Coker (quadriceps) is making progress but is still considered week-to-week, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
It sounds like Coker won't be ready to return from injured reserve when first eligible in Week 5. He was expected to miss four-to-six games all along, with his return likely to come at some point in October. With the Panthers not getting much from their pass catchers so far, Coker should push for a starting job before mid-season.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: Week 4 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
The earliest Coker (quadriceps) can make his season debut is Week 5, but you should stash him now, especially if you have an IR spot. When healthy, Coker should be the No. 2 receiver for the Panthers behind Tetairoa McMillan, especially with Xavier Legette (hamstring) and Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) now banged up. Bryce Young and Coker have a solid rapport, and there should be plenty of targets to help Coker be a potential starter in all three-receiver leagues. He's worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: In line to suit up Thursday
Rotowire
Coach Dave Canales said Coker (illness) is slated to play in Thursday's preseason contest against the Steelers for "conditioning" purposes, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Coker sat out this past Saturday's exhibition versus the Texans due to an illness, so getting some reps Thursday appears to be on the docket for the 2024 undrafted rookie. Last season, he impressed with 32 catches (on 46 targets) for 478 yards and two touchdowns in 11 regular-season games. With Tetairoa McMillan (hamstring), Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen and Brycen Tremayne all out Thursday, Coker will be in the mix for WR reps along with Hunter Renfrow, David Moore and Jimmy Horn.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: Likely out due to illness
Rotowire
Coker (illness) is not expected to suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Texans, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Coker impressed during Carolina's preseason matchup against the Browns, scoring Carolina's only touchdown of the 30-10 loss while finishing with a 2-17-1 receiving line. The second-year pro is competing with Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette for reps in three-wide sets, with rookie first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan seemingly already having entrenched himself as Bryce Young's clear No. 1 wideout. It looks like Coker will have to wait until the Panthers' preseason finale against Pittsburgh on Thursday, Aug. 21 for his next chance to build exhibition momentum, however.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: Returns to practice
Rotowire
Coker (undisclosed) participated in 7-on-7 drills Wednesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Kaye notes that Coker "looked fast" and seems to have recovered from the soft-tissue injury that limited his participation in OTAs. He impressed as an undrafted rookie last year but will still need to fight for first-team reps during training camp, competing with Tetairoa McMillan, Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: Still working on the side
Rotowire
Coker (undisclosed) continues to work off to the side during OTAs, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
The wide receiver was also only getting in limited work in late May during OTAs. Though he's likely behind Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette and Adam Thielen on Carolina's depth chart, Coker is definitely in the mix after catching 32 passes for 478 yards and two scores as a rookie in 2024.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: Dealing with injury
Rotowire
Coker was spotted working off to the side of Panthers' practice Tuesday due to a soft-tissue injury, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
The severity of Coker's injury is currently unknown, but it's a positive sign that he didn't need to sit out of practice entirely. The second-year wideout from Holy Cross is expected to compete for snaps in a crowded Panthers wide receiver corps headlined by 2025 first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette and Adam Thielen. However, Coker may fall behind the competition for a depth role if he's unable to return to the field soon.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: Week 17 Adds (WR Preview)
Rotowire
Last week was disappointing for Coker, but he still had a 19% target share from Bryce Young. This should be a high volume passing game from Young against a Tampa Bay defense that is much better against the run. Six different wide receivers have scored double-digit PPR Fantasy points against Tampa Bay in their last four games. View Coker as an upside flex.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: Held to eight yards Sunday
Rotowire
Coker (quadriceps) had two receptions on five targets for eight yards in Sunday's 36-30 overtime win over Arizona.
Coker was unable to replicate last week's 83-yard touchdown catch against the Cowboys, finishing with meager production against the Cardinals despite his team picking up the win. It is worth noting that the UDFA continues to play through a quadriceps injury that cost him three games of action prior to returning against Dallas in Week 15. Coker's inconsistent production and lingering injury concerns limit him to a deep-league option for next Sunday's tilt against the Buccaneers.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: Playing in Week 16
Rotowire
Coker (quadriceps) is listed as active Sunday against the Cardinals, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Coker sat out Weeks 12-14 due to a quadriceps injury and then was limited in the final two sessions of Week 16 prep due to the same issue. He'll play through the health concern for a second straight game, however, as he takes on an Arizona defense that has allowed the ninth-most YPT (8.33) to opposing wide receivers this season. Coker also may have a bit more sway in Carolina's passing game due to Xavier Legette (hip) being inactive.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: On track to play Week 16
Rotowire
Coker (quadricep) remains listed as questionable but is expected to play Sunday against the Cardinals, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Coker missed three straight games with a quad injury before returning to action in last week's loss to the Cowboys. The undrafted rookie then popped back up on Thursday's injury report with a quad issue, ending the week as a limited participant in two straight practices. Though the quad may still be nagging him a bit, Coker looks like he'll still be able to suit up and play consecutive games for the first time since Weeks 9 and 10. With Xavier Legette (hip) having already been ruled out, Coker and David Moore (concussion) -- who is also listed as questionable but expected to play -- should fill top-three roles at receiver alongside veteran Adam Thielen.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jalen Coker: Limited by quad issue
Rotowire
Coker was limited in practice Thursday due to a quadriceps injury.
Coker wasn't listed on the Panthers' first Week 16 practice report Wednesday, so his addition one day later is somewhat worrisome. Having said that, he missed Weeks 12-14 with a quad issue, so his practice restrictions Thursday may be related to maintenance. In his return to action this past Sunday against the Cowboys, Coker hauled in four of six targets for 110 yards and one touchdown, which mostly was fueled by an 83-yard scoring strike.
Coker is THE wide receiver add if you're looking for Week 17 upside. He just scored 21 Fantasy points in his first game back, and he has Tampa Bay in Week 17. You'll need a good game in Week 16 to feel good about starting him in Week 17, but he's worth the stash while you wait and see.
