The Carolina Panthers have struggled with injuries in the first part of the season, and no receiver outside of rookie Tetairoa McMillan has managed to make an impact. This week, however, brings a rare and welcome development: Jalen Coker, one of the team’s most highly anticipated offensive weapons, is nearing his return from injury.
What Is Jalen Coker’s Status for Week 6?
Coker, who suffered a quad injury in August, was placed on injured reserve after final roster cuts, making him ineligible to play during the first four weeks of the season. With that mandatory absence, plus one additional game, now complete, the Panthers officially opened his practice window on Wednesday ahead of their Week 6 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
Coker was a full participant in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday, a promising sign for his potential return. Head coach Dave Canales praised the young receiver’s progress but stopped short of confirming his availability for Monday night.
Unfortunately, on Saturday, NFL insider Adam Schefter confirmed that Coker will not play in Week 6. However, the Panthers wideout is expected to be ready for Week 7.
Panthers WR Jalen Coker, who was listed as questionable for Sunday due to the quad injury that has sidelined him this season, has been ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. the Cowboys. His season debut will wait another week.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2025
“He looked good,” Canales told reporters. “He ran crisp routes, he looks fast, he looks like Jalen. And we wanna make sure that he can put the volume of this full week in before we make a decision on whether to bring him up this week or not.
“So we’re tryin’ to get extra reps here and there, some scout team reps and some full-speed routes, and ramp up his volume tomorrow to see where he’s at. See if he can handle it so we can trust that he’s ready to go for a full game.”
Canales’ comments suggest the Panthers are taking a measured approach. Coker’s͏ absence has particularly been frustrating for Carolina because͏ he was poised for a breakout opportunity. The Panthers ͏had traded veteran receiver ͏Adam Thielen in the offseason, creating a clear opening for Coker to ͏take on a ͏prominent role in ͏the slot.
Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2024, Coker impressed as a rookie with 32 receptions for 478 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games, showcasing a blend of size, strength, and contested-catch ability that quickly drew praise from coaches and teammates.
Coker’s presence alongside Xavier Legette could provide a much-needed spark to a Panthers offense that currently ranks 21st in PFSN’s Offensive Impact metric.