The Carolina Panthers’ injury report leading up to the Week 9 game against the Green Bay Packers has resembled a Walgreens receipt, as dauntingly long as it has been. While it didn’t shorten significantly after Friday’s practice report, it definitely provided some needed clarity.
Panthers Will Be Without Two Players in Week 9
Two players have officially been ruled out for the upcoming contest against the NFC-best Packers. Center Cade Mays (ankle/knee) and EDGE Princely Umanmielen (ankle) will be sidelined this week.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales told reporters earlier in the week that Mays and Umanmielen were the most likely candidates to miss this Sunday’s game among all of the listed players battling injury.
Newly signed OLB Trevis Gipson could see immediate action for Carolina to fill some of the vacant defensive snaps that Umanmielen’s absence creates. Special teams ace Thomas Incoom is also a candidate for an extended role.
Guard Chandler Zavala (knee) is considered questionable and hasn’t been activated off injured reserve yet. However, his full participation all week could give him a chance to be activated ahead of the game and fill the right guard spot, in theory.
Wide receiver Xavier Legette (illness) did not participate on Thursday, but he carries no injury designation into the game, meaning he’s ready to rock. Legette is ranked No. 75 in PFSN’s WRi with a 63.6 grade on the season.
Another player that won’t have an injury designation tethered to him this week, and perhaps the least-scary report to receive on a Halloween Friday, quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) will return to the field after missing Week 8.
Young’s return to the starting lineup provides the Panthers’ offense with a significant boost, thanks to his ability to evade pressure and move the pocket. Also, backup Andy Dalton (thumb) is listed as questionable for the game.
Four other Panthers received the questionable designation for the trip to Lambeau, including safety Nick Scott (groin), linebacker Trevin Wallace (shoulder), left guard Damien Lewis (oblique), and right tackle Taylor Moton (knee). All four have participated in a limited fashion during the week’s practice schedule.
