While the Panthers welcomed back certain players to practice – Curtis Samuel and Christian McCaffrey, both absent on Wednesday for ‘rest’ days, returned on Thursday – they are still missing some key figures on both sides of the ball. While Donte Jackson, who missed last week with a groin injury but appeared close to returning, worked on the side with Chris Manhertz, who remains in the concussion protocol, Trai Turner, Cam Newton, Greg Little and Gerald McCoy were nowhere to be seen at the Bank of America Practice Fields.
With Turner and Little not practicing, expect the team to turn to sixth-round pick Dennis Daley to occupy one of the spots on the offensive line. Little, who suffered a concussion in Week 3 of the preseason, re-entered the concussion protocol this week and will almost certainly be unavailable on Sunday; Turner has not practiced since exiting the Panthers win over Arizona in the fourth quarter.
While Tyler Larsen subbed in for Turner to begin with at Arizona, Daryl Williams took over the mantel at right guard for the final series and played every snap there last week in Houston and said this week that “being back on the right side felt good again.”
The Panthers players got a little reprieve from the heat by utilizing the newly built Atrium Health Dome – affectionately known as ‘The Bubble’ – it is still startling to see eight players, all of them starters or at the very least key contributors, not practicing on a Thursday. Brian Burns, who hurt his wrist by punching the turf after partially blocking a punt in Houston, was at practice but had a large wrap on the injured wrist – the rookie who just won two awards for his performance in the month of September could play with a club on his hand to stabilize the extremity if necessary, but we’ll know more after Friday’s injury report is released.
Eric Reid, who was in a walking boot after Week 4 and didn’t practice yesterday, wasn’t on the field during the portion of practice open to the media, but was seen walking back to the practice fields with no boot and without a noticeable limp. Gerald McCoy, who will have a larger role with Kawann Short heading to injured reserve, was not at practice for the second Thursday in a row, but Ron Rivera says that’s more about maintenance for a veteran than cause for concern.
Consider Thursdays off for McCoy ‘the new normal’.
Here is the full injury report, which does not include Kawann Short and Chris Hogan, both sent to injured reserve this week:
| Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Newton | Foot | None | Kyle Allen will start |
| Donte Jackson | Groin | None | |
| Chris Manhertz | Concussion | None | |
| Brian Burns | Wrist | None | |
| Greg Little | Concussion | None | |
| Eric Reid | Ankle | None | |
| Trai Turner | Ankle | None | |
| Curtis Samuel | Rest | Full | |
| Bruce Irvin | Hamstring | Full | |
| Marquis Haynes | Elbow | Full | |
| Gerald McCoy | Knee | None | Thursdays off for McCoy 'the new normal'? |
| Shaq Thompson | Hand | Full | |
| Christian McCaffrey | Rest | Full |
