There are a lot of names on the Panthers injury report Wednesday, but because of their travel schedule – they leave for London Wednesday evening after a final meeting at 5:45p – most should be taken with at least a couple of grains of context. While Greg Little and Trai Turner continue to be absent from practice, both will travel to London, according to Ron Rivera – and Cam Newton has been making appearances, albeit brief ones, at Panthers practice this week – certainly a good sign for the quarterback’s progress in rehab.
The only players who will not travel to London this weekend are Newton and defensive back Natrell Jamerson, who is also dealing with a foot sprain. Rivera hinted earlier this week that players who traveled were at least close to being able to play – an encouraging sign for Greg :ittle and Trai Turner, neither of whom have been seen at practice the past two weeks. While they may not be able to compete in Week 6, after the bye seems like a hopeful time for, at the very least, an attempted return.
The players that participated fully were also encouraging for the Panthers, with the team welcoming Donte Jackson back into the fold at a great time with the dynamic wide receiver duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin – the latter of whom reeled in eight catches for 121 yards and a score in the teams’ previous meetings in Week 2 – looming across the pond.
The brash cornerback certainly makes it known when he’s back on the practice field.
“You most certainly do hear him,” chuckled Ron Rivera about Jackson, who had two interceptions in Arizona before missing the past two games. “He is a lively personality and he brings energy; he and Tre Boston together, are really one of those energetic things. It’s like when Mario Addison is going and the rest of the line feeds off of him. We’ve got guys that do that for the rest of their teammates and I think that’s really cool. Trai Turner, with the offensive line, we most certainly do miss Trai. Greg Olsen, when he gets rolling, it just energizes [the team], so you do miss when personalities aren’t on the field.”
“Good to have Donte out on the field today – I thought he handled it very well, coming back off the groin.”
Chris Manhertz continues to progress through the concussion protocol, but a full practice is one of the final steps. Check out the full injury report here:
| Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Newton | Foot | None | Newton will not travel to London |
| Donte Jackson | Groin | Full | |
| Chris Manhertz | Concussion | Full | |
| Brian Burns | Wrist | Full | |
| Natrell Jamerson | Foot | None | Jamerson will not travel to London |
| Greg Little | Concussion | None | |
| Eric Reid | Ankle | None | |
| Trai Turner | Ankle | None | |
| Christian Miller | Ankle | None | |
| Gerald McCoy | Knee | None | |
| Shaq Thompson | Ankle | None | |
| Mario Addison | Rest | None | |
| Christian McCaffrey | Back | None |
