It was only a couple of weeks ago when we discussed the possibility of Carolina Panthers starting linebacker Trevin Wallace being the most polarizing player on the current roster. Now the table is set to find out firsthand what the defense does without their usual green dot.
The second-year linebacker is going to miss the Week 11 road game against division foe, the Atlanta Falcons, after sustaining a shoulder injury in the third quarter of the Week 10 game. In a position room that was never labeled as ‘deep’ entering the 2025 season, one player has received a nice vote of confidence from a Panthers’ shot caller this week.
Panthers’ Dave Canales Expresses Optimism About ‘Fantastic Athlete’ To See More LB Action
When Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales was asked on Monday about Trevin Wallace’s status on his weekly Panther Talk radio appearance, he effortlessly led into a stream of compliments for his probable fill-in, Claudin Cherelus. Canales told host Anish Shroff of Cherelus:
“Claud played downhill. He [Cherelus] played physical. He was smacking lineman. He was smaking ballcarriers, and really felt like he looked comfortable out there.”
Cherelus came in for the injured Wallace with right around two minutes left to play in the third quarter of last Sunday’s home loss against the New Orleans Saints.
The Panthers’ special teams ace played well, making one solo tackle, assisting on two more, and executing impressive coverage against running back Alvin Kamara on a critical fourth-down play that resulted in a Nic Scourton sack.
Cherelus has had his number called for the Carolina defense in three games (Weeks 8 through 10) and has made a play each time, even when he only played two snaps in Week 9 (he was credited with an assisted tackle).
An UDFA out of Alcorn State in 2023, Cherelus started two games for the Panthers last season, with one actually coming against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9. The results weren’t as positive in those starts, when he was charged with five missed tackles between the two.
Panthers’ Cherelus Has ‘Better Understanding’ of How To Step Up
Cherelus makes his hay on special teams, showcasing his speed and range. Sometimes over-playing with that speed last year, Canales recognized Cherelus for his development during that same radio segment, saying, “He’s continuing to grow in our schemes and our system. You know, really counting on Claud if he has to go this week.”
With a better level of comfort in the responsibilities that defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s scheme asks of its second-level defenders, Cherelus no doubt has the athleticism and willingness to step in for a stint.
Cherelus expressed that exact sentiment to reporters in the locker room on Wednesday when asked what he feels his growth has been getting to this point, replying:
“More so, kind of a better understanding. It’s getting simpler for me. Luckily, I’ve been with E [Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero] and Pete [Inside Linebackers Coach Hansen] three years already.”
The assumption is that Christian Rozeboom will reclaim the MIKE role and the green dot, paving the way for Cherelus to play the JACK. Rozeboom has been excelling in his recent role, achieving a score of 70.6 in PFSN’s LBi Metric.
When specifically asked if Rozeboom would be calling the defense against Atlanta, Canales provided one final flair of coachspeak, responding with, “We’re working through that.”