Freeman rushed five times for 17 yards and caught his only target for eight yards in Thursday night's 24-9 win over the Texans.
Freeman hardly saw the field on offense in his first two games with the Panthers, but after superstar tailback Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) exited in the second quarter Thursday, Carolina's recent signing suddenly was forced into the fray. Although Freeman saw fewer opportunities than rookie fourth-rounder Chuba Hubbard, who finished with 79 scrimmage yards on 14 touches, he still had chances to show his stuff, including on an unsuccessful one-yard touchdown leap in the fourth quarter. Should McCaffrey be sidelined or limited in Week 4's matchup versus the Cowboys, Freeman would again figure to help Hubbard fill the void, bringing his stock to life as he now embarks on an extended preparation period prior to that contest.
Hubbard rushed 11 times for 52 yards and caught three of five targets for 27 yards in Thursday night's 24-9 win over the Texans.
Hubbard was forced into extended action after superstar Christian McCaffrey exited during the second quarter with a hamstring injury. Although the rookie fourth-rounder promptly proceeded to drop a pass and get stuffed on a fourth-and-one attempt -- and later dropped a would-be touchdown in the second half -- Hubbard still racked up commendable yardage on short notice. Obviously, McCaffrey's status should be paramount to monitor ahead of the Week 4 matchup versus the Cowboys, but if he's sidelined or slowed, Hubbard and recent veteran signee Royce Freeman would figure to have their roles expanded, with Thursday showing that the first-year tailback is preferred as the primary option in McCaffrey's absence.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Sam Darnold: Scores twice on ground
Rotowire
Darnold completed 23 of 34 passes for 304 yards in Thursday night's 24-9 win over the Texans. He also rushed eight times for 11 yards and two touchdowns.
Darnold found wideout DJ Moore early and often, setting up his untouched score on a five-yard keeper in the first quarter. The signal-caller then was forced to cope with Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) exiting the contest, stalling the offense a bit while he faced more pressure. Although Darnold fumbled twice while being sacked, Carolina fortunately recovered both times, and Darnold rallied to put together a strong second half that included a few big throws under duress. In the end, he was rewarded with a one-yard sneak for a touchdown, effectively icing the game with four minutes left. With six total touchdowns versus two turnovers through his 3-0 start with the Panthers, Darnold carries welcomed momentum into Week 4's matchup against the Cowboys.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Robby Anderson: Another quiet outing
Rotowire
Anderson caught one of two targets for just eight yards in Thursday night's 24-9 win over the Texans.
Anderson has gotten off to a relatively slow start this season, managing just five catches through Carolina's first three contests. His first target Thursday resulted in a drop and Anderson was only looked at once afterward. Conversely, teammate DJ Moore fueled the Panthers offense without Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) available for most the game, finishing with over 125 receiving yards. With a long preparation period before Week 4's trip to Dallas, Anderson -- who had 95 catches for over 1,000 yards last season -- will strive to re-establish his presence in the passing game.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Christian McCaffrey: Will undergo MRI
Rotowire
Head coach Matt Rhule said that McCaffrey will undergo an MRI on his hamstring following Thursday's 24-9 win over the Texans, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.
Rhule didn't have provide an estimate on the severity of McCaffrey's injury, as he'll defer until the MRI results are available. The Panthers have 10 days until their Week 4 clash against the Cowboys. Their offense takes a significant hit when McCaffrey is off the field, but rookie Chuba Hubbard and Royce Freeman will attempt to fill the void if he's forced to miss time.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' DJ Moore: Big game versus Texans
Rotowire
Moore caught eight of 12 targets for 126 yards in Thursday night's 24-9 win over the Texans.
Moore was targeted frequently during the first half, helping the Panthers gain first downs with a variety of catches between the numbers. In fact, the wideout hit 100 yards on his six grabs by halftime. Although he understandably couldn't maintain that pace in the second half -- and was briefly seen being examined by trainers on the sideline before re-entering the game -- Moore overall helped Carolina's offense compensate for Christian McCaffrey's (hamstring) second-quarter exit. Quietly coming off consecutive seasons with 1,200 scrimmage yards, Moore has put up at least 75 yards in each of his three games to begin the current campaign, continuing his stock's ascent among receivers league-wide.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jaycee Horn: Suffers broken foot
Rotowire
Horn suffered a broken right foot during Thursday's game against the Texans, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
The team didn't reveal an initial timetable for Horn's return, but we can expect to rookie to miss significant time. This is a major loss for the Panthers, who expended the No. 8 overall pick on Horn back in April. Through three games, he has posted five tackles (three solo), an interception and a pass breakup. Rashaan Melvin stepped in at corner Thursday. Melvin or A.J. Bouye -- who was scratched Thursday -- will start in Horn's place
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Juston Burris: Suffers groin injury
Rotowire
Burris was forced out of Thursday's game against the Texans due to a groin injury, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Burris recorded two solo tackles before exiting Thursday's game, and he's not expected to return. The sixth-year safety will have 10 days to recover before a Week 4 matchup against the Cowboys. Sean Chandler will likely handle increased reps with Burris on the sidelines.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Jaycee Horn: Won't return Thursday
Rotowire
Horn has been ruled out for the rest of Thursday's game against the Texans due to a foot injury, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports. He will undergo X-rays at the stadium, according to James Palmer of NFL Network reports.
Horn was carted off the field in the third quarter after a non-contact foot injury. The Panthers will run further tests before revealing the severity of his injury.The Panthers' defense has looked quite good so far this season, and Horn -- the No. 8 pick in April's draft -- has played a major factor in its success. Rashaan Melvin took over at cornerback when Horn left Thursday.
Horn left Thursday's game against the Texans with an unspecified leg injury, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Horn suffered a non-contact injury as he was dropping back in coverage, and he was unable to put weight on his right leg as he went to the sidelines. The No. 8 pick in this year's draft, Horn has produced three tackles (two solo), a pass breakup and an interception through two weeks. Raashaan Melvin took Horn's place at corner.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Christian McCaffrey: Out with hamstring injury
Rotowire
McCaffrey won't return to Thursday's game against the Texans due to a hamstring injury, Bill Voth of the Panthers' official site reports.
McCaffrey suffered this injury on a run early in the second quarter. It's unclear how severe his injury is. McCaffrey posted 31 yards on seven rushes and nine yards on two receptions (two targets) before leaving. Rookie running back Chuba Hubbard and, to a lesser extent, Royce Freeman should handle the backfield reps as long as McCaffrey is out.
Bouye (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game at Houston, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Bouye missed the first two contests of the season due to an existing suspension that extended into 2021. According to Joe Person of The Athletic, Bouye appears to be tending to a soft-tissue injury, even though he wasn't on any of the team's Week 3 practice reports. In any case, the Panthers will delay his season debut to Week 4, at least.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Shi Smith: Healthy scratch Thursday
Rotowire
Smith (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Thursday at Houston, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Smith has been tending to a shoulder issue since Carolina's preseason finale, which was expected to keep him out for 2-to-3 weeks. But since coming off the practice report entirely this week, his pro debut still awaits. Smith may need an injury to a wide receiver ahead of him on the depth chart to do so.
