Carolina Panthers place star player on COVID list. He’ll likely miss the Saints game
It’s going to be challenging for Panthers coach Matt Rhule to field a defense Sunday in New Orleans.
Carolina placed Pro Bowl outside linebacker Haason Reddick on the reserve/COVID list on Wednesday. He joins edge rushers Brian Burns, Marquis Haynes and linebacker Shaq Thompson, who all landed on the list earlier this week.
Third-string quarterback P.J. Walker was also placed on the reserve/COVID list. Reddick and Walker join center Sam Tecklenburg, who the Panthers placed on the list Tuesday. Carolina did activate offensive linemen Pat Elfein and Dennis Daley from the COVID list.
This stems from a COVID-19 outbreak the Panthers have been dealing with since Monday. That day, Rhule sent his players home after a “somewhat significant” number tested positive.
Currently, the Panthers have 11 players on the COVID list, seven of which play defense. Rhule said roster depth is quickly becoming an issue.
“It has taken up most of my day because guys are testing now based on symptoms and upon request. So (results) are not all coming at once,” Rhule said. “The new (protocols) gives some of the guys that tested Monday a chance to be back Sunday.”
On Tuesday, the NFL and NFL Players Association agreed to modify their COVID-19 protocols. Regardless of vaccination status, the isolation period after a positive test for an asymptomatic player was cut from 10 days to five.
The new rules make it possible for Burns, Thompson and Haynes to return if they test negative and do not show symptoms after the five-day window.
In keeping with the updated protocols, the Panthers shortened their Wednesday practice and held meetings inside their practice bubble while wearing masks and socially distancing. Rhule said they did not have enough players to scrimmage against each other, meaning the offense and defense practiced separately.
While both sides of the ball prepared apart for Sunday’s game against the Saints, general manager Scott Fitterer worked to find potential replacements for players (like Reddick) who may be out Sunday.
New Orleans is dealing with its own COVID outbreak and was forced to start third-string rookie quarterback Ian Book on Monday night in a 20-3 loss to Miami. But several key starters should be back this week.
On Wednesday, quarterbacks Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian were activated from the COVID-19 list, along with linebacker Demario Davis and nine other players. Carolina (5-10) play the Saints on Sunday at 4:25 p.m on Fox.
“(COVID) is definitely a concern,” Rhule said. “It will definitely play a factor in the ball game right now. We have a lot of young guys who have been waiting for their chance to play. Some got a chance to play last week and more will get a chance to play this week.”
Other notes
▪ It is unlikely cornerback Stephon Gilmore will play Sunday. Rhule said Gilmore is dealing with a groin injury he suffered during the second half of the Panthers’ 32-6 loss to Tampa Bay. Gilmore did not practice Wednesday. Rhule said he, Fitterer and team doctors are working to decide whether Gilmore will be placed on injured reserve.
▪ Left tackle Cam Erving did not practice Wednesday. He is dealing with a calf injury that kept him out last week against Tampa Bay. Rookie Brady Christensen started in his place and could be asked to again.
▪ The Panthers cut reserve quarterback Matt Barkley on Tuesday. However with Walker likely unavailable, Barkley could return if he clears waivers. Rhule said Fitterer is exploring all options in case more positive tests pop up in the quarterback room.
This story was originally published December 29, 2021 at 12:43 PM.
