2026 Injury Report
Okereke (foot) didn't participate in Carolina's practice Wednesday.
Okereke popped up on the injury report due to a foot injury and is now in danger of missing his first game of the season. If the 2019 third-round pick ends up being unable to play in Sunday's matchup against the Broncos, Tyrel Dodson would likely get the start in his place.
questionable
questionable
Lee (hamstring) is day to day but should have a chance to "test" his injury this week, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Lee suffered the hamstring injury during Carolina's loss to Green Bay on Thursday night. The fourth-round pick has played a starting role for the Panthers in the wake of injuries to cornerbacks Jaycee Horn (quadriceps), Mike Jackson (groin) and Akayleb Evans (triceps).
Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Monday that Phillips (hamstring) is trending in the right direction and considered day-to-day heading into Sunday's game against the Broncos, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Phillips hasn't practiced since aggravating a hamstring injury in the Panthers' Week 6 win over the Eagles. With the benefit of a mini-bye coming off a Thursday night loss to the Packers in Week 8, Phillips may have a chance at putting an end to a two-game absence. The Panthers will see what, if anything, Phillips is able to do in practice this week before deciding on his status for the matchup with the Broncos.
Bullock (quadriceps) exited Thursday's 27-19 loss to Green Bay and did not return, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.
Bullock started in place of Damien Lewis (knee), who was ruled out after being injured in the Week 7 meeting with Tampa Bay. The loss of Lewis was already a tough blow for the Panthers' offensive line, but things got even worse after Bullock exited the contest due to a quad contusion. It's unknown if Bullock or Lewis will be available when Carolina meets the Broncos in Week 9. However, if neither of them can suit up, Jake Curhan, who was elevated from the practice squad Thursday and replaced Bullock during the game, may need to step up once again.
Christensen (hamstring) was designated to return from injured reserve Tuesday.
Christensen has been rehabbing from a hamstring injury all season and has yet to play in a game. The Panthers will now have 21 days to activate him from IR, otherwise he won't be eligible to suit up this season. If Christensen does indeed return, he could be moved into a starting role.
Brooks (core) was seen working off to the side during the Panthers' unofficial practice Tuesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
The Panthers haven't yet opened Brooks' 21-day practice window, but that might happen soon after head coach Dave Canales said Monday that the young running back would "potentially" be designated for return from injured reserve this week. Brooks hasn't played since Week 2 after undergoing core-muscle surgery, so he'll likely need to turn in multiple full practices before the Panthers are comfortable clearing him for game action. Once he's activated from IR, Brooks will likely handle a supporting role out of the backfield behind starter Chubba Hubbard.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Monday that Legette (knee) will "potentially" be designated for return from injured reserve this week, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Canales noted that Legette still has some checkpoints he needs to hit in his recovery process before getting the green light to practice, but the third-year wideout appears to have at least progressed on some level since landing on IR on Oct. 3. Before getting hurt, Legette had served as the Panthers' No. 3 wideout during the first two weeks of the season and produced a 2-64-0 receiving line on six targets between those contests.
Evans (triceps) was placed on injured reserve by the Panthers on Thursday, Darin Gantt of the team's official website reports.
Evans is dealing with a triceps injury, and he was unable to practice at all this week ahead of being ruled out for Thursday night's contest versus Green Bay. The 27-year-old will now be forced to miss at least four games while on IR, and in his absence, Will Lee, Malcolm DeWalt and Chau Smith-Wade will stand to operate as the team's primary options at cornerback.
The Panthers placed Moton (lower leg) on injured reserve Monday.
Moton fractured his fibula in the Panthers' 43-13 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday. The offensive tackle will likely miss the rest of the 2026 season due to the injury, making the move to injured reserve a formality. Monroe Freeling is set to start at right tackle for the Panthers for the remainder of the season.
The Panthers placed Incoom (calf) on injured reserve Saturday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Incoom's calf injury is severe enough for him to warrant a stint on injured reserve. As such, the Central Michigan product will be required to miss at least four games, so the next time he can suit up is Week 11 against the Ravens on Sunday, Nov. 22. Bam Martin-Scott was activated from IR in a corresponding move.
The Panthers placed Jackson (shoulder) on injured reserve Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Jackson will miss the remainder of the campaign after undergoing shoulder surgery. He was also nursing a knee injury and will now shift his focus to getting healthy for the 2027 campaign.
Coach Dave Canales said Monday that Ekwonu (knee) is still a considerable time away from returning to action, Mike Kaye of ESPN reports.
Ekwonu was placed on the Panthers' reserve/PUP list prior to the start of the regular season, as he was still recovering from the ruptured patellar tendon he suffered during the Panthers' wild-card loss against the Rams last postseason, and there's no indication at this point that he's nearing a return. With rookie first-rounder Monroe Freeling now dealing with a knee issue, Stone Forsythe could be called upon to start at right tackle for the Panthers in Week 6 after their bye in Week 5.
Head coach Dave Canales said Wednesday that Jackson (groin) underwent core-muscle surgery and will be sidelined about eight weeks, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
The Panthers are in a code-red situation at cornerback after both starters, Jackson and Jaycee Horn (quadriceps), suffered significant injuries against Cleveland in Week 3. Ahead of a date with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams on national television Sunday night, Carolina will be relying on Will Lee, Akayleb Evans and Chau Smith-Wade to cover the snaps.
The Panthers placed Horn (quadriceps) on injured reserve Wednesday.
Horn suffered a torn quadriceps in Sunday's loss to the Browns and is expected to miss anywhere from 6-to-12 weeks. It's a brutal blow to the Carolina secondary, which will also be without Mike Jackson (groin) for at least the next four weeks after he was also placed on injured reserve Wednesday. Will Lee, Akayleb Evans and Chau Smith-Wade will handle cornerback duties moving forward.
The Panthers placed Brazzell (knee) on injured reserve Friday.
Brazzell will officially miss his entire rookie season due to the LCL tear he suffered during Wednesday's training camp practice. The rookie third-round pick will undergo surgery and set his full attention on making a recovery for the 2027 campaign. In the wake of this transaction, Xavier Legette and John Metchie are the top candidates to secure the No. 3 wide receiver role in Carolina behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker.
The Panthers placed Scourton (knee) on injured reserve Friday.
Scourton tore his ACL during the first practice of training camp, ending his 2026 season before it began. Cam Gill was added to the roster in the wake of Scourton's injury. The Panthers will also continue to monitor the edge-rusher market for additional help at the position.
Brown (hand) practiced fully Wednesday.
Brown missed last Thursday night's loss to the Packers but appears ready to return for Sunday's Week 9 date with Denver. He has seven tackles (one solo) and a pass breakup across 142 defensive snaps this season.
Wheatley recorded seven total tackles (four solo) and an interception during Thursday night's 27-19 loss to the Packers.
Wheatley was able to secure a career-high seven stops, while his biggest play of the game came in the fourth quarter when he picked off a deep pass from Packers quarterback Jordan Love. The interception was the first of the Wheatley's career, and the rookie has now compiled 26 total tackles (19 solo), four passes defensed and a forced fumble over six contests during the 2026 campaign.
