Mike Kaye Sep 30, 2026, 04:14 PM ET The Carolina Panthers (1-2) will be without their top two cornerbacks for the foreseeable future, and even with two-time Pro Bowl defender Jaycee Horn (quad) and fellow starter Mike Jackson (groin) on injured reserve, the team is monitoring injuries for seven other notable players ahead of Week 4's primetime matchup against the Detroit Lions on 'Sunday Night Football.' (8:20 ET, NBC)."No one can replace Jaycee Horn," Panthers coach Dave Canales said Monday. The task for the team's other cornerbacks is to "do their jobs" in relief. But with Jackson also on the injury list, the Panthers' secondary will be tested against the Lions and beyond.
Cornerback is not the only position group facing a challenge with injuries piling up for the Panthers. Following Carolina's 21-18 Week 3 loss to the Cleveland Browns, the Panthers are overseeing the injury statuses for several players, including starting quarterback Bryce Young and No. 1 wide receiver Jalen Coker. The MASH unit formed within the Carolina locker room has created issues as the Panthers try to finish the first quarter of the season with a .500 (or better) record for the first time since 2021."It's a challenge because you want to know what your [game-day roster] is going to look like on Sunday so that you can have a significant game plan for your guys," Canales said Monday. "At a minimum, we start with the opponent and we say, 'Structurally, these are the things we do well -- how we want to attack.' ...
So, we have to be able to look at all of those things and make assumptions based on the information that we have today and tomorrow to get that game plan going. But it presents its challenges."While the Panthers could see a potential upswing in reinforcements following their Week 5 bye, they still need to contend with a formidable 2-1 Lions squad first. Here's a look at seven of the Panthers' most notable injuries as of Wednesday's injury report, listed in order of significance to the team: Bryce Young, QBInjury: Knee Wednesday's walk-through status: Full What happened: Young limped off the field after he was sacked by Browns DT Mason Graham in the second quarter of the Week 3 loss at Cleveland.
He returned on the next drive but went to the blue tent during the third quarter before making another immediate comeback. Following the game, Canales said Young was dealing with "something," but the QB said everyone is dealing with "something" in the NFL. Level of concern - Minor: Canales said Monday that he expected Young to play against Detroit.
However, he also said the QB would undergo testing on his lower-body injury. Young led the offense in practice Wednesday without issue. Biggest issue for Week 4 (or beyond?): Through three weeks, the Lions have 57 QB pressures, which is tied for second in the league with the Atlanta Falcons, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
Detroit also has 12 sacks, which ranks as the second most in the league. Young has dealt with constant pressure over the past three weeks, so a hobbled version of the QB could be in trouble against the Lions' front. Devin Lloyd, LBInjury: Calf Wednesday's walk-through status: Full What happened: Lloyd missed Week 3 after injuring himself during his epic Week 2 performance against the Falcons.
Lloyd was replaced by Tyrel Dodson in the starting lineup against Cleveland. Level of concern - Minor: Canales said Monday that he expected Lloyd to return this week. The linebacker backed that claim a few minutes later, saying he was ready to go and nearly returned for Week 3.
He returned to practice Wednesday. Biggest issue for Week 4 (or beyond?): The Panthers weren't particularly strong against the run with Lloyd sidelined in Week 3. Cleveland picked up 132 yards on the ground against Carolina, and even with QB Deshaun Watson factoring into that math, it wasn't a banner performance for the Panthers' front seven.
Lloyd is a better run defender than Dodson or Bobby Okereke, and with Lions RB Jahmyr G...
来源: ESPN NFL · 由HeadlinesBriefing整理摘要