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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jaelan Phillips: Won't play Thursday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Devin Lloyd: Records four tackles in Week 7 loss
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Bobby Okereke: Logs season-high 10 stops Week 7
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jaelan Phillips: Listed as DNP on Monday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Akayleb Evans: DNP on Monday's practice estimate
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Bam Martin-Scott: Activated from IR
Rotowire
The Panthers activated Martin-Scott (hamstring) from injured reserve Saturday, and he no longer carries an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Martin-Scott has been cleared to make his 2026 regular-season debut after fully recovering from a hamstring injury that he sustained during training camp in late August. The South Carolina product mostly served on special teams during his rookie year in 2025, finishing with 21 tackles (seven solo) and one forced fumble across 17 regular-season games. Martin-Scott's return gives the Panthers another contributor on special teams and more depth in the linebacker corps.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Thomas Incoom: Moved to injured reserve
Rotowire
The Panthers placed Incoom (calf) on injured reserve Saturday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Incoom's calf injury is severe enough for him to warrant a stint on injured reserve. As such, the Central Michigan product will be required to miss at least four games, so the next time he can suit up is Week 11 against the Ravens on Sunday, Nov. 22. Bam Martin-Scott was activated from IR in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Thomas Incoom: Won't play against Tampa Bay
Rotowire
Incoom (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
Incoom was unable to practice all week due to a calf injury that he picked up against the Eagles in Week 6, and his next chance to play is Thursday against the Packers. The Panthers will have less edge depth Sunday because of the absences of both Incoom and Jaelan Phillips (hamstring).
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jaelan Phillips: Ruled out for Week 7
Rotowire
Phillips (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
Phillips aggravated a hamstring injury during the Panthers' Week 6 win over the Eagles. The injury prevented him from practicing during Week 7 prep, and his absence means Princely Umanmielen will likely start opposite Patrick Jones at the edge rusher position. Phillips' next chance to play is Thursday against the Packers at Lambeau Field.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jaelan Phillips: Misses second straight practice
Rotowire
Phillips (hamstring) did not participate in practice Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Phillips was once again absent from Thursday's practice, putting his availability for Sunday's matchup against Tampa Bay in doubt. The 27-year-old is healing from a hamstring injury sustained in Week 6 versus Philly. Should Phillips miss Week 7, Princely Umanmielen could draw a start.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Devin Lloyd: Tallies second sack of 2026
Rotowire
Lloyd recorded four tackles (three solo), including 1.0 sacks, during the Panthers' 25-14 win over the Eagles in Week 6.
Lloyd was responsible for one of the Panthers' three sacks in Week 6, with the fifth-year linebacker taking down Tanner McKee in the third quarter for a six-yard loss. Lloyd is up to 2.0 sacks through four games, which matches his career high that he set in 2024 with the Jaguars across 16 regular-season games.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Bobby Okereke: Productive against Philadelphia
Rotowire
Okereke recorded eight tackles (seven solo), including 1.0 sacks, and two pass defenses during the Panthers' 25-14 win over the Eagles in Week 6.
Okereke led the Panthers in both combined and solo tackles in Week 6, and he set the tone early for the defense by sacking Tanner McKee on the Eagles' first offensive play of the game. It was Okereke's first sack of the season and matches his total across 17 regular-season games with the Giants in 2025. The veteran linebacker is up to 34 tackles (21 solo), four pass defenses (including one interception) and one forced fumble through five regular-season games.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Bam Martin-Scott: Practice window opens Wednesday
Rotowire
The Panthers designated Martin-Scott (hamstring) to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Per Gantt, Martin-Scott was a full practice participant Wednesday in his first session since suffering a hamstring injury in late August. He would need to be activated from IR in order to make his 2026 regular-season debut against the Buccaneers on Sunday. Martin-Scott's return would give the Panthers another contributor on special teams and add depth to the inside linebacker position.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jaelan Phillips: Still tending to hamstring injury
Rotowire
Phillips (hamstring) was estimated as a non-participant on the Panthers' official injury report Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Per Mike Kaye of ESPN.com, coach Dave Canales said Wednesday it's fair to expect that Phillips won't play in Week 7 as he recovers from a hamstring injury he picked up during Sunday's game at Philadelphia. In that case, 2025 third-rounder Princely Umanmielen could draw a start on the edge versus the Buccaneers.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jaelan Phillips: Returns to Sunday's game
Rotowire
Phillips (hamstring) has returned to Sunday's game against the Eagles, Kassidy Hill of the Panthers' official site reports.
Phillips exited the first half of Sunday's game with a hamstring injury before returning in the third quarter. The weakside linebacker's replacement, Thomas Incoom (calf), exited the game shortly after Phillips and has been ruled out.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Thomas Incoom: Won't return Sunday
Rotowire
Incoom (calf) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Eagles, Kassidy Hill of the Panthers' official site reports.
Incoom sustained a calf injury quickly after taking over for Jaelan Phillips (hamstring) during Sunday's game. The reserve linebacker will not return to the contest, but Phillips already has resumed his role as the primary weakside linebacker.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Thomas Incoom: Questionable to return versus Philadelphia
Rotowire
Incoom (calf) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Eagles, Kassidy Hill of the Panthers' official site reports.
Jaelan Phillips (hamstring) exited the contest, so Incoom took over. However, Incoom suffered a calf injury and might not return in Week 6. If that's the case, Princely Umanmielen and Trevis Gipson may be more involved the rest of the way.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jaelan Phillips: Exits with hamstring injury
Rotowire
Phillips (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Eagles, Kassidy Hill of the Panthers' official site reports.
Phillips exited the first half of Sunday's game with a hamstring injury. If the Panthers' starting edge rusher cannot return to face his former team, Thomas Incoom will likely absorb the reps at strongside linebacker.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Tershawn Wharton: Active for Week 6
Rotowire
Wharton (neck) is active for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Wharton opened the regular season on the reserve/PUP list while recovering from neck surgery that he underwent in May. He was activated from the PUP list Saturday, and the seventh-year pro has been cleared to make his 2026 debut Sunday.
