97 Yetur Gross-Matos DE

Gross-Matos finished the 2020 season with 24 tackles (nine solo), 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 12 games.

Gross-Matos was selected in the second round of last year's draft as the Panthers aimed to revamp their defense. While the 6-foot-5, 265-pounder surely sports upside, his rookie season got off to a slow start, as he missed some time due to an ankle injury. Gross-Matos would return to start his final seven games, registering five quarterback hits over that span. He'll aim to build on that momentum in his second season.

Gross-Matos recorded a sack across 37 defensive snaps in Sunday's win over Washington.

The rookie got his second full sack of the season Sunday, as he now has 22 tackles (nine solo), 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble on the year. He'll look to finish his rookie campaign strong against the Saints on Sunday.

The Panthers activated Gross-Matos (undisclosed) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Gross-Matos spent the Panthers' bye week on the COVID-19 list, but he'll be available for Sunday's game against the Broncos. The rookie second-round pick has handled a rotational role at defensive end since Week 10.

The Panthers placed Gross-Matos on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.

Gross-Matos either tested positive for the virus or came into close contact with an infected person. The Panthers are on bye in Week 13, so the rookie defensive end could return by the team's next game if he clears the league's COVID-19 protocol in time.

Gross-Matos (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Lions, Bill Voth of the Panthers' official site reports.

Gross-Matos shook off a shoulder injury that kept him limited in practice, and he's expected to start at defensive end for a second straight game. The rookie second-round pick recorded five tackles in his first career start last week.

Gross-Matos made five tackles (two solo) in Sunday's 46-23 loss to the Buccaneers.

Gross-Matos made his first career start with Stephen Weatherly (finger) on injured reserve, and he ended up logging a 61 percent snap share and a season high in tackles. The rookie second-rounder out of Penn State was drafted 38th overall in large part due to his pass-rushing ability, but he hasn't had much success in that arena yet, posting just one sack and four quarterback pressures through six games. He'll have two more games before Weatherly is eligible to return, though, so perhaps he can get into a rhythm with a consistent workload on tap.

Gross-Matos will log his first career NFL start during Sunday's matchup against the Buccaneers, Jonathan M. Alexander of The Charlotte Observer reports.

With Stephen Weatherly (finger) officially having been placed on injured reserve Saturday afternoon, Gross-Matos garners an opportunity to prove himself at one of the Panthers' defensive end spots. Gross-Matos himself was just activated from IR on Nov. 7, after he was sidelined for three weeks due to an ankle issue. The second-round rookie from Penn State has notched one sack, seven tackles and a forced fumble through five appearances this season.

Gross-Matos (ankle) was activated off injured reserve Saturday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Gross-Matos has been sidelined for the last three games while on IR, the minimum required. The rookie second-round pick has recorded six tackles, one QB hit and one forced fumble across 78 defensive snaps in four games this season.

Gross-Matos (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve Thursday.

The second-round rookie landed on injured reserve Oct. 15, and he has sat out each of the Panthers' past three contests as a result. Now having been designated for return, Gross-Matos has a 21-day window to resume practice before the team must either activate him to the 53-man roster or place him on season-ending IR. In four appearances between Weeks 1 and 5, the Penn State product recorded six tackles, one QB hit and one forced fumble on 78 combined defensive snaps.

Gross-Matos (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Friday.

The rookie second-round pick exited last Sunday's win over the Falcons with the ankle injury and was unable to practice this week, and he'll now miss at least the next three games while on injured reserve. It's unclear if Gross-Matos is expected to be sidelined beyond the three-game minimum. Stephen Weatherly and Marquis Haynes should see increased reps for the Panthers, especially with Brian Burns in the concussion protocol.

Gross-Matos (ankle) isn't practicing Wednesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

The rookie second-rounder continues to be plagued by injuries, as he hurt his ankle last week against the Falcons after already battling an eye injury, concussion and illness this season. Gross-Matos is no stranger to missed practices and will hope to build up his practice participation as the week unfolds ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears.

Gross-Matos exited Sunday's game against the Falcons with an ankle injury, Myles Simmons of the Panthers' official site reports.

The rookie second-round pick had only one tackle on the day before exiting the contest. Gross-Matos' status for Week 6 should receive more clarity once the Panthers return to practice Wednesday.

Gross-Matos made three solo tackles and forced a fumble on a sack in Sunday's 31-21 win over the Cardinals.

Gross-Matos stripped opposing quarterback Kyler Murray during the third quarter, not only making his first career sack in the process, but also setting up the Panthers for a scoring drive. Although the rookie second-rounder still only played 21 of 57 defensive snaps, his key play Sunday should inspire more confidence going forward.

Gross-Matos (illness) does not have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Gross-Matos logged a DNP/DNP/LP practice slate this week while dealing with an illness, but his availability for Sunday's contest isn't in any danger. The rookie second-round pick is set to draw his usual start at defensive end.

Gross-Matos (illness) didn't practice Wednesday, Myles Simmons of the Panthers' official site reports.

Gross-Matos has had some tough luck with his health this season, as he has already battled an eye injury and a concussion prior to this illness. Whether he's able to raise his practice participation as the week unfolds should help determine the rookie second-rounder's status for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Gross-Matos (concussion) has cleared the league's concussion protocol and will play in Sunday's game versus the Chargers.

Gross-Matos fully participated in practice Thursday and Friday, and he's slated to start Sunday. The rookie second-rounder played only 16 snaps in the season opener. He should start seeing an uptick in reps moving forward as he was a skilled pass rusher at Penn State with 17 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss over his final two seasons.

Gross-Matos (concussion) was a full participant during Thursday's practice.

Even though Gross-Matos was a full participant, it still doesn't mean that he has cleared the league's concussion protocol. Per Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer, coach Matt Rhule expects Gross-Matos to play Sunday against the Chargers, but in a backup role. Look for Stephen Weatherly or Marquis Haynes to draw the start at defensive end with Gross-Matos still recovering.

Gross-Matos (concussion) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Gross-Matos will need more time before he's able to fully clear the league's five step-concussion protocol and retake the field. Stephen Weatherly and Marquis Haynes will likely handle increased defensive roles Sunday with Gross-Matos sidelined.

Gross-Matos is in the concussion protocol Thursday and will not practice, Myles Simmons of the Panthers' official site reports.

Gross-Matos took a hit in the eye during Wednesday's practice, per Simmons, and he subsequently developed concussion symptoms. In the event that he fails to clear fully clear the league's five-step concussion protocol in time to suit against the Buccaneers in Week 2, Stephen Weatherly and Marquis Haynes would be in line to handle increased roles.

Gross-Matos (eye) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.

It's encouraging that Gross-Matos was at least able to practice in some capacity, though the exact nature of his eye injury is unknown at this time. The rookie pass rusher will hope to make a bigger impact against Tampa Bay in Week 2 after recording only one tackle in his debut last week.