Dan Morgan refuses to leave anything up to chance. The Carolina Panthers appear secure under their second-year general manager, largely because of his flexibility and unwavering belief in his decisions.
That approach mirrors the relentless mindset he displayed as a player. Morgan leads with careful thought, yet never hesitates to act on his conclusions. The Panthers now operate with far more patience and purpose — a welcome shift after previous years of impulsive choices that dragged the organization to its lowest point.
With six contests left on the schedule, the Panthers still have a meaningful opportunity ahead. Even so, Morgan continues managing crises as they arise. That was especially clear through a subtle but strategic contingency move made before the team’s prime-time matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Panthers acted quickly to address a looming linebacker shortage
Trevin Wallace is sidelined due to a shoulder injury. Christian Rozeboom exited Carolina’s overtime win versus the Atlanta Falcons with a hamstring problem, later admitting it felt more serious. His availability now appears doubtful, and the team may find itself without both starting linebackers for Monday night’s game against San Francisco.
That scenario is far from ideal, particularly with former Panthers star Christian McCaffrey on the opposing sideline. Carolina has Claudin Cherelus, Maema Njongmeta, and undrafted rookie Bam Martin-Scott available as internal options, but Morgan sought further security by re-signing Jacoby Windmon to the practice squad.
Windmon is already familiar with Ejiro Evero’s defensive scheme. Last season, he posted 22 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, and two pass breakups in eight appearances, including two starts. No one should expect him to deliver a dramatic transformation, yet his existing knowledge of the system and responsibilities makes him a reliable emergency solution.
At minimum, the move reinforces Morgan’s readiness to adjust on the fly — a hallmark of competent general managers across the NFL. There is no panic in his approach, only deliberate decisions designed to maintain stability. Windmon isn’t going to be the “second coming of Luke Kuechly,” but his return represents a practical choice that helps preserve continuity.
The situation doesn’t paint an optimistic picture for Rozeboom’s chances of suiting up on Monday, but the Panthers have no choice but to adapt to the circumstances. With the team sitting just half a game out of first place in the NFC South, Morgan cannot afford inaction when problems demand solutions.
If Rozeboom is ultimately ruled out, Windmon will likely be promoted to the active roster. And should Cherelus or Njongmeta struggle to produce the level of play Carolina needs, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Windmon receive defensive snaps as well.