The Panthers have no worries about Bryce Young’s right ankle after the overtime victory in Atlanta. Head coach Dave Canales said the quarterback practiced fully on Thursday. “He was able to move around and execute what we needed him to do today,” Canales explained.
Young briefly exited in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium when Falcons safety Billy Bowman stepped on his ankle during a sack. He returned on the next possession and later guided a second-half rally that put Carolina ahead in the fourth quarter. Young ultimately directed six scoring drives, including the overtime series that set up the winning field goal. Although he limped during his post-game press conference, Young handled the offense without restrictions in the first Week 12 practice.
The Panthers are confident enough in his health that they will not elevate third-string quarterback Mike White from the practice squad as an insurance option. White had previously served as the emergency third quarterback in the 16-13 win over the Packers, but that designation would require him to be on the active roster Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers.
“It’s an option,” Canales said. “Right now, that’s not the plan this week, but it is an option. I’m glad (White) is here, continuing to hear our words, prepare with the guys, hear our conversations, be a part of the protection meetings — all of those things — so, if we need him, we can call on him.”
Young initially injured the ankle in Week 7 against the Jets. Since missing the Week 8 loss to Buffalo, he has played three games, winning two. Despite dealing with discomfort, he set a franchise record with 448 passing yards and three touchdowns against Atlanta.
“Everyone’s fighting through something at this point in the year,” Young said Thursday. “During practice — I’m in the training room all the time, doing everything I can — have a great training staff, doing all the stuff they want me to do. Always getting better, always feeling better on a day-to-day basis. Again, everyone’s dealing with something, that’s just the nature of football, of this league, especially this time of the year. Again, I’m excited and focused on football.”
Starting linebackers Trevin Wallace (shoulder) and Christian Rozeboom (hamstring) did not participate in Thursday’s open-practice portion. Wallace, who sat out the win over Atlanta, remains “week to week,” a timeline Canales reiterated while still leaving the door open for a possible return. “First and foremost, we have to evaluate Trevin — see where he’s at for this week,” Canales said. “Told you he was week to week (last week), and we’ll have more information on that.”
Rozeboom suffered his hamstring injury against the Falcons and was the primary defensive signal-caller in Wallace’s absence. With Rozeboom now hurt as well, the team faces uncertainty about who would assume the role if both are unavailable Monday. Canales acknowledged that Rozeboom is unlikely to play but said the staff will continue monitoring him. “We’d hate to put him out there for a limited amount, knowing how he plays — the style, the aggression, physical nature that he plays with,” Canales said. “We want to make sure he’s healthy, first and foremost.”
Claudin Cherelus delivered 10 tackles and a pass breakup as the fill-in starter last week and would likely start again if either linebacker cannot go. Carolina also re-signed Jacoby Windmon to the practice squad Wednesday. Windmon appeared in eight games with the team last year and could be elevated for depth. Veteran Krys Barnes remains on the practice squad as well after contributing on special teams against the Falcons. He has one elevation left before he must be signed to the active roster.
“Brought (Windmon) in here — a guy that’s familiar with what we do, from a special teams standpoint and a linebacker standpoint,” Canales said. “Love what Claud did in the game (against Atlanta). Krys Barnes is another guy that’s been around, that’s ready to go. And Maema Njongmeta, he got into the game a little bit at the end as well. So, we’ve got a couple of guys, a couple of options there. The picture will get a bit clearer once we know what’s going on with Trevin.”
Panthers’ Thursday injury report
Did not participate: LB Trevin Wallace (shoulder), LB Christian Rozeboom (hamstring or hip)
Limited: DT Turk Wharton (knee)
Full: QB Bryce Young (ankle), WR Xavier Legette (hip), WR Tetaroia McMillan (ankle), DB Lathan Ransom (hand)
Quick hits
Carolina enters Week 12 with the ninth-best record in the NFC. The 49ers sit seventh, holding the final playoff spot. A Panthers victory on Monday would tie both teams at 7-5, with Carolina owning the head-to-head advantage. The Lions (6-4) are the only team separating them in the standings.
Former Panthers kicker Eddy Piñeiro is working through a minor hamstring injury, prompting the 49ers to add former Rams kicker Matt Gay to their practice squad. Piñeiro has converted all 22 field goals this season, including six from 50 yards or more. He made seven field goals beyond 50 yards during his Panthers tenure.
Six teams have two wins or fewer entering Week 12. Tennessee, at 1-9, is on pace to set a new low for a 17-game season. Carolina’s 2-15 finish in 2023 currently holds that mark.
Rookie Nic Scourton is tied with Pro Bowler Derrick Brown for the team lead with three sacks. With six games left, Scourton has a chance to become the first Panthers rookie since Julius Peppers in 2002 to finish as the franchise’s sack leader.