Rochell (concussion) does not carry an injury designation for Saturday's wild-card round matchup against Los Angeles.
Rochell has fully cleared the concussion protocol and is on track to handle his usual role on special teams during Saturday's playoff opener. Across six regular-season appearances, Rochell did not handle a single defensive snap.
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Panthers' Robert Rochell: Upgrades to full practice Wednesday
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Rochell (concussion) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Rochell was unable to play in the Panthers' Week 18 loss to the Buccaneers after entering the league's concussion protocol against the Seahawks in Week 17. He appears to be progressing in his recovery given his ability to practice in full Wednesday, but he would need to clear concussion protocol in order to be available for Saturday's NFC wild-card game against the Rams. Rochell played exclusively on special teams across six regular-season games between the Panthers and Cowboys and finished with five tackles (two solo).
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Panthers' Bobby Brown: Logs full practice Wednesday
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Brown (concussion) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice
Brown entered the league's concussion protocol during the Panthers' Week 18 loss to the Buccaneers. His ability to practice in full is a good sign that he is progressing in his recovery, but Brown would not be allowed to play in Saturday's wild-card game against the Rams unless an independent neurologist were to clear him from the league's protocol. Thursday's injury report should provide clarity on Brown's chances of playing in the opening round of the NFC playoffs.
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Panthers' Robert Rochell: Listed as limited Tuesday
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Rochell (concussion) was listed as a limited participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Rochell wasn't able to practice in any capacity prior to being ruled out for Week 18, so his limited listing represents a step in the right direction. In order to be eligible for Saturday's wild-card round against the Rams, however, Rochell will need to fully clear the NFL's concussion protocol.
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Panthers' Bobby Brown: Limited in practice
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Brown (concussion) was listed as a limited participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Brown continues to work his way through the five-step concussion protocol. He'll need to resume practicing without restrictions and gain full medical clearance, including from an independent neurologist, in order to be eligible to suit up for Sunday's wild-card round matchup against the Rams.
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Panthers' Tershawn Wharton: Ready to face Rams
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Wharton (hamstring) was a full participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Wharton missed Carolina's final four regular-season games, but he was initially listed as questionable to play Week 18. Now, the veteran defensive tackle looks fully on track for Saturday's wild-card round game against Los Angeles.
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Panthers' Claudin Cherelus: Ready for wild-card round
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Cherelus (calf/ankle) was a full participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Cherelus was unable to play Week 18, but he appears fully on track for Saturday's wild-card round matchup against the Rams. Across 14 regular-season appearances in 2025, Cherelus tallied a career-high 32 tackles (14 solo) and one pass defensed.
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Panthers' Nic Scourton: Productive rookie campaign
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Scourton recorded 47 total tackles (20 solo), including 5.0 sacks, one pass defensed and one forced fumble across 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Scourton, a 2025 second-round pick from Texas A&M, emerged as Carolina's most productive pass rusher during his rookie campaign. He led the team in pressures (34), tied for the team lead in sacks (5.0) and ranked second on the defense in tackles for loss (seven). Among rookie edge rushers, Scourton led the group with 47 total tackles while finishing with the third-most sacks as well. He was a major reason for the Panthers' defensive improvements this season and is expected to remain the team's top edge rusher following the 2025 playoff run.
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Panthers' A'Shawn Robinson: Production dips in 2025
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Robinson tallied 65 total tackles (21 solo), including 2.5 sacks, and three passes defensed across 17 regular-season games in 2025.
In the second season of a three-year, $22.5 million contract, the 30-year-old from Alabama remained one of Carolina's top interior defensive linemen, starting 16 of the 17 regular-season games in which he appeared. However, Robinson saw declines in several statistical categories compared to 2024, finishing with fewer total tackles (80 to 65), sacks (5.5 to 3.5) and forced fumbles (one to zero). Those dips are partially attributable to the return of Derrick Brown, and the additions of Bobby Brown (concussion) and Tershawn Wharton (hamstring) in free agency, as Robinson played 58 fewer snaps this season. He's expected to remain a crucial part of the Panthers' defensive line following the team's 2025 playoff run.
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Panthers' Tre'von Moehrig: Impactful first year in Carolina
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Moehrig recorded 103 total tackles (65 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and two passes defensed, including one interception, over 16 regular-season games in 2025.
Moehrig signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Panthers in March and lived up to his contract in his first season with the team. The TCU product started all 16 regular-season games in which he appeared in and tallied a career-high 14 tackles for loss, the most TFLs by a defensive back in a single season in NFL history. His versatility played a key role in the Panthers' defensive success, as he logged 442 snaps in the box, 310 in the slot, 143 at free safety and 94 on the defensive line. Moehrig remains under contract through 2027 and is expected to remain one of Carolina's top defensive playmakers for years to come.
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Panthers' Nick Scott: Career year in 2025
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Scott recorded 111 total tackles (64 solo) and three passes defensed, including one interception, across 17 regular-season games in 2025.
The veteran safety was an integral part of the Panthers' defensive success this season, tallying a career-high 111 stops, the second-most on the team. Scott also played a career-high 1,035 defensive snaps while starting all 17 of Carolina's regular-season contests. He signed a one-year deal to remain with the Panthers last offseason and will likely receive a significant pay increase wherever he lands following Carolina's 2025 playoff run.
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Panthers' Christian Rozeboom: Solid season in Carolina
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Rozeboom tallied 122 total tackles (59 solo), including 2.0 sacks, three passes defensed, including one interception, and one forced fumble across 15 regular-season in 2025.
The South Dakota State product recorded triple-digit stops for the second consecutive season while leading Carolina in total tackles. Rozeboom also set new career highs in sacks (2.0) and forced fumbles (one), starting all 15 regular-season games he appeared in for the Panthers. The 28-year-old signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with Carolina last offseason and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent following the team's playoff campaign. Given his production, Rozeboom should draw interest from teams in need of inside linebacker help this offseason.
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Demani Richardson: Cut by Carolina
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The Panthers waived Richardson on Tuesday.
Carolina made a series of roster moves Tuesday ahead of Saturday afternoon's wild-card matchup with the Rams. Richardson appeared in 13 games for the Panthers during the regular season, making one start, and logged seven tackles (three solo) and one fumble recovery.
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Panthers' Derrick Brown: Career-high 13 stops in Week 18
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Brown finished Saturday's 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers with 13 tackles (five solo).
Not only were Brown's 13 stops a career high, they were also the most among defensive linemen in a single game this season, per Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer. The sixth-year pro will end the 2025 regular season with 73 tackles (33 solo), including a career-high 5.0 sacks, seven pass defenses and one forced fumble across 17 games. It was an impressive bounce-back season for Brown, who missed all but one regular-season game in 2024 after suffering a meniscus injury in his knee in September of 2024. The Panthers' loss Saturday means they are relying on a Falcons win over the Saints on Sunday to clinch the NFC South division title and the No. 4 seed in the conference playoffs.
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Panthers' Bobby Brown: Ruled out with concussion
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Brown (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Saturday's game against the Buccaneers, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.
Brown exited the game in the second quarter after suffering a head injury, which has been confirmed to be a concussion. The defensive end will now enter the league's five-step concussion protocol. If the Panthers can secure a playoff birth by the end of Week 18, Brown will need to upgrade his practice participation and clear the league's protocol in the hope of playing in the team's wild-card matchup.
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Panthers' Bobby Brown: Possible concussion
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Brown is being evaluated for a possible concussion and is questionable to return to Saturday's game against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Brown exited the game in the second quarter after suffering a potential head injury. The defensive end will be evaluated by the NFL's independent neurological specialists, and if he is deemed to have suffered a concussion will enter the league's concussion protocol and be ruled out for the remainder of Saturday's game. LaBryan Ray will likely see more snaps on the Panthers' defensive line in Brown's absence.
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Panthers' Krys Barnes: Active for Saturday
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Barnes (back) is active for Saturday's game against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
With Claudin Cherelus (calf) inactive for Saturday's divisional tilt, Barnes and Bam Martin-Scott will likely be the ones to fill his role at inside linebacker next to Christian Rozeboom. Martin-Scott will likely get the initial reps, but Barnes may see his first defensive snaps since Week 13 as Saturday's game develops.
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Panthers' Tershawn Wharton: Inactive for Week 18
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Wharton (hamstring) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Wharton was a full participant in practice all three days this week, yet he will still be unable to suit up for Week 18. The defensive end's absence means Bobby Brown will likely see a large portion of snaps at defensive end yet again. The Panthers will be without Wharton for a fourth consecutive game, this time for a matchup that could decide the winner of the NFC South.
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Panthers' Krys Barnes: Questionable for Week 18
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Barnes (back) is listed as questionable ahead of Saturday's matchup against the Buccaneers.
Despite Barnes' questionable designation, he practiced in full throughout the week, suggesting he's trending toward playing in Saturday's regular-season finale. The UCLA product has tallied 17 total tackles across six appearances for the Panthers this season. If active for the Week 18 contest, expect Barnes to contribute primarily on special teams while playing a depth role in Carolina's linebacker corps.
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Panthers' Claudin Cherelus: Out for Saturday
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Cherelus (calf/ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's matchup against the Buccaneers.
The 26-year-old from Alcorn State sustained ankle and calf injuries during the Week 17 loss to the Seahawks and didn't practice throughout the week, so it's no surprise that he'll be sidelined Saturday. Cherelus had been filling in for the injured Trevin Wallace (IR, shoulder) in Carolina's linebacker corps, recording 32 total tackles and one pass defensed over 14 appearances this season. While Cherelus is out in Week 18, expect Bam Martin-Scott to start alongside Christian Rozeboom.
