The unspoken rule of thumb with injury reports is to avoid overreacting to Wednesday designations, while taking status changes on Friday more seriously.
The Carolina Panthers’ injury report today includes one of those ominous Friday additions, this time to a key offensive weapon.
Key Offensive Player Added to Panthers’ Friday Injury Report
Rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (hamstring) was listed as a limited participant on Friday’s report and will carry a questionable status for Sunday’s home game against the New Orleans Saints. McMillan had practiced fully for the first two practices this week, so it’s a new issue.
Panthers’ head coach Dave Canales told reporters, “Something popped up in practice, so we shut him down for part of it. He was able to take a few reps but, precautionary. We’ll look at him again tomorrow morning though, just to make sure he’s ready to go.”
Following up on that update, Canales was asked by Joe Person of The Athletic if there was any ‘serious concern’, to which the head coach responded, “Um, concern. Concern, certainly, so we’ll just take a look at him tomorrow and see where he’s at, hoping he can go.”
McMillan by-and-far leads the team in targets (69), receptions (41), and receiving yards (558), while also being tied for the most receiving touchdowns (2). The rookie also leads the offense in red zone (10) and deep targets (8).
McMillan is ranked No. 40 in PFSN’s WRi with a 75.9 score.
Another crucial piece of the Panthers’ offensive puzzle, Rico Dowdle (quadriceps), does not hold an injury designation for the Week 10 game, after missing practice on Wednesday and being limited on Thursday. Dowdle was a full participant on Friday.
Wide receiver Brycen Tremayne (hip) put out a second consecutive limited practice, leading him into Sunday with a questionable designation. The only Carolina player that has been ruled out for the contest is guard Chandler Zavala (elbow), who did not practice at all this week.
That also means that Cade Mays and Taylor Moton will be back on the starting offensive line for the Panthers after missing last week’s game. Austin Corbett is expected to kick over to right guard with Mays back in the mix.