The Carolina Panthers are staring down Week 3 with a brutal hit to their defense, missing three key players as they get ready to face the Cleveland Browns. They’re trying to push their record to 2-1, but health is looking like a serious challenge this week.
Defensive Depth Chart Is Taking Hits
This Sunday’s game against the Browns is gonna be a tough one for the Panthers’ defense, no doubt about it. They’re officially ruling out linebacker Devin Lloyd, linebacker Claudin Cherelus, and safety Nick Scott. Losing Lloyd, especially, is a massive blow for that side of the ball. That’s a huge piece missing right when they need him most. On the offensive side, there’s a glimmer of hope: wide receivers Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette are both questionable, but they did participate in Friday’s practice in a limited capacity. You gotta hope those young wideouts can get on the field and give them some playmaking juice, because the defensive absences are going to make things very, very hard.
Running Back Down, A Familiar Face Back Up
The Panthers front office has been busy trying to patch things up. Running back Jonathon Brooks is headed to Injured Reserve after having surgery to repair a core muscle. The guy just cannot catch a break with his health! He was a 2024 second-round pick, but he has only appeared in five games over three seasons. Now he’s out for at least six more weeks. Ouch.
To shore up the defense, the Panthers signed safety Isaiah Simmons to the active roster from the practice squad. This is a wild one. Simmons was originally the No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 draft with the Arizona Cardinals, where he racked up 258 tackles, 7.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and four interceptions in three seasons. But the Cardinals saw him as a “tweener,” and a new coaching staff didn’t think he fit their scheme. He bounced to the New York Giants in 2023, where he played two seasons, tallying 71 tackles as an occasional fill-in starter. Last year, the Panthers had him on their practice squad, and he played in five games for them, picking up two tackles. This year, he’s already yo-yoed between the practice squad and active roster, appearing in both of Carolina’s games, playing five defensive snaps and 49 on special teams. It’s a risky move, but they need bodies.
And for some special teams depth, they signed wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette to the practice squad. This guy’s name should ring a bell for some Panthers fans. He was their primary punt returner in 2023, averaging 8.7 yards per return and taking one to the house. He also added eight receptions for 51 yards and eight carries for 74 yards and a touchdown. He was a fifth-round pick by the Vikings in 2021 and has bounced around a few teams, even returning a kickoff for a touchdown with the Giants in 2024.
The Panthers are still pushing for that 2-1 start against the Browns. With so many key defensive players sidelined and a young running back on IR, it’s gonna be a true test of their depth and resilience. Can Simmons finally find a solid role, or will the defense struggle to keep things tight? We’ll find out Sunday.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Cat Scratch Reader.
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