The Carolina Panthers’ injury report has listed multiple starters all week, as the team approaches a must-win Week 16 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On Friday, fans received unfortunate clarification on some game statuses.
2 Starters Ruled Out, OL Listed As Questionable for Panthers’ Week 16 Game
Carolina has unsurprisingly ruled out defensive lineman Turk Wharton (hamstring) for Sunday’s game. Wharton appeared on the Week 15 injury report as a last-minute Saturday addition.
Wharton, a prioritized free agent addition, will miss his sixth game this season. While his on-field play has been adequate, it has not solved issues with interior pass rush. Wharton has two sacks on seventeen pressures. PFSN’s DTi metric, however, ranks his impact highly, giving him an 80.3 score, which places him at No. 20 among qualified defensive tackles.
Linebacker Trevin Wallace (shoulder) being ruled out may surprise some. He returned in Week 13 after missing games with the injury and began this week as a full participant, but was limited on Thursday. Head coach Dave Canales said Claudin Cherelus will start in his place.
Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu (knee) is questionable for Sunday. Canales said, “Ickey was able to do more, so that was encouraging.” He added that the team will need to continue evaluating Ekwonu, likely all the way up to warmups on Sunday, making him a true game-time decision.
Wide receiver David Moore (elbow) is the only other player with an injury designation. He’s questionable as he continues rehabbing from his Week 4 injury and stint on IR. Moore will have to be added to the active roster before Sunday, meaning a corresponding move will also be in order.
Tetairoa McMillan (ankle/foot), Taylor Moton (back), Damien Lewis (illness), and Jaycee Horn (rest) are ready to play against Tampa Bay after being on the injury report earlier in the week.
In a contest requiring everyone’s best, the more healthy players, the merrier. The Panthers’ playoff hopes hinge directly on the outcome of Sunday’s home showdown against their NFC South rival, the Buccaneers.
