Bryce Young was a full participant in Panthers practice on Wednesday, a positive sign after he was checked out by trainers during last Sunday’s loss to the Browns and had to go for further tests the next day. The young QB’s knee is still listed on the injury report, but seeing him as a full participant has to be a relief for fans who were sweating it.
The “Walkthrough” Caveat and What It Hides
Now, here’s the kicker: that “full participant” listing was just an estimation because the Panthers only held a walkthrough. If it had been an actual practice, a whole crew of players would have been sitting on the sidelines, and that’s the real story here. We’re talking wide receivers Jalen Coker (quad) and Xavier Legette (knee) who would have sat out. Those are significant targets who could be making plays.
And the list doesn’t stop there. Tight end Darren Waller was dealing with a toe issue (plus a “rest” day, which is always interesting this early), running back Chuba Hubbard was out for “not injury related” reasons, right tackle Monroe Freeling had a concussion, and left guard Damien Lewis was sidelined with an elbow problem. On defense, linebacker Princely Umanmielen was out with an ankle. Plus, don’t forget the Panthers already dropped both their starting cornerbacks on injured reserve on Wednesday. That’s a lot of key guys banged up or otherwise unavailable.
A Few Good Signs Amidst the Pain
It wasn’t all bad news on the injury front, though. Along with Young, safety Nick Scott (rib) and linebacker Devin Lloyd (calf) were also listed as full participants. That’s a small silver lining, showing some defensive players are shaking off their early season bumps. But the sheer volume of players who would have missed a real practice, combined with the starting cornerbacks hitting IR, really highlights the challenge this team is facing right now.
With so many key players dealing with various issues, the Panthers have a lot to sort out before their next game. Keeping their roster healthy is going to be crucial if they want to make any kind of push this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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