Both the San Francisco 49ers and the Carolina Panthers unexpectedly find themselves in the thick of the playoff race in the NFC. Both teams were cast aside at various points during the year, either due to injuries on the roster in the case of the 49ers or the general perception of the Panthers.
However, both squads have persevered to remain in the playoff hunt, or in Carolina’s case, even in the race for the divisional title. But as the two sides face off in a crucial Monday Night Football game in Week 12, neither team is coming into the encounter fully healthy.
Inactive List for Panthers and 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
- OL Connor Colby
- DL Robert Beal Jr.
- LB Tatum Bethune
- DL Kevin Givens
- WR Jordan Watkins
- RB Jordan James
- K Eddy Piñeiro
Carolina Panthers
- WR Hunter Renfrow
- LB Trevin Wallace
- LB Christian Rozeboom
- C Cade Mays
- DT Jared Harrison-Hunte
- TE James Mitchell
- DT Cam Jackson
Starters for Panthers vs. 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
Offense:
- QB Brock Purdy
- RB Christian McCaffrey
- WR Kendrick Bourne
- WR Ricky Pearsall
- TE George Kittle
- FB Kyle Juszczyk
- LT Trent Williams
- LG Ben Bartch
- C Jake Brendel
- RG Dominick Puni
- RT Colton McKivitz
Defense:
- LDE Bryce Huff
- RDT Kalia Davis
- LDT Jordan Elliott
- RDE Sam Okuayinonu
- WLB Dee Winters
- MLB Curtis Robinson
- SLB Luke Gifford
- LCB Renardo Green
- SS Ji’Ayir Brown
- FS Malik Mustapha
- RCB Deommodore Lenoir
Special teams:
- PK Matt Gay
- P, H Thomas Morstead
- PR, KR Skyy Moore
- LS Jon Weeks
With Brock Purdy returning to the lineup last week, the resilience the team showcased without him paid off in a major way. Immediately, he paved the way for the eighth-ranked unit on PFSN’s Offense Impact to have its best game of the season, as they put up 41 points in a win over the Arizona Cardinals.
This week, they’ll look to continue that hot streak as they try to bridge the gap to the top of the division and enter the playoff bracket.
Carolina Panthers
Offense:
- QB Bryce Young
- RB Rico Dowdle
- WR Tetairoa McMillan
- WR Xavier Legette
- WR Jalen Coker
- TE Ja’Tavion Sanders
- LT Ikem Ekwonu
- LG Damien Lewis
- C Austin Corbett
- RG Chandler Zavala
- RT Taylor Moton
Defense:
- RDE Tershawn Wharton
- NT A’Shawn Robinson
- LDE Derrick Brown
- LOLB Nic Scourton
- RILB Maema Njongmeta
- LILB Claudin Cherelus
- ROLB D.J. Wonnum
- LCB Mike Jackson
- SS Tre’von Moehrig
- FS Nick Scott
- RCB Jaycee Horn
Special Teams:
- PK Ryan Fitzgerald
- P, H Sam Martin
- PR, KR Trevor Etienne
- LS JJ Jansen
It would have been impossible to imagine with the way the season began. However, the Panthers have remained competitive and are now tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, both with a 6-5 record. A victory on Monday could propel them to the top of the division and give the franchise legitimate hope for the postseason.
Coming off arguably the best game of Bryce Young’s career, as he threw for 448 yards and three touchdowns, the hope has to be that he can continue that hot streak against San Francisco in Week 12.
