Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales said Wednesday that the team is preparing to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday without top outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. Canales did not offer a timeline for Phillips' return, but he made clear that the team would not play games with his status for Week 7.
When asked whether the expectation was that Phillips would miss this week, with a "Thursday Night Football" matchup against the Green Bay Packers on deck for Week 8, Canales said Phillips, who reinjured his left hamstring in the road win over the Philadelphia Eagles, needed to be treated with caution. "I think I can fairly say that," Canales said about Phillips missing Week 7. "I know there are advantages to game plans, but this is something that we need to address and take care of."
Phillips left Sunday's win in the first half but returned late in the third quarter. On Wednesday, he walked around the perimeter of the practice field while his teammates took part in a walkthrough. "Jaelan got that same hamstring [injury] -- we've got to take care of that now," Canales said. "So, we're going to still push it and evaluate him, but this is something we're going to have to be smart with." Phillips, who signed a four-year, $120 million deal in March, has produced 2.5 sacks this season. Canales declined to speculate on whether he would be able to play at Green Bay next week.
With Phillips and special teams ace Thomas Incoom (calf) sidelined, the Panthers plan to call up practice squad linebacker Nick Hampton, a former Los Angeles Rams pass rusher known for his special teams play. Incoom is considered week-to-week and will not be immediately placed on injured reserve. Running back AJ Dillon and offensive tackle Monroe Freeling returned to full participation, while quarterback Bryce Young was a full participant despite a knee injury designation.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing