Panthers lose Jeremy Chinn for at least 4 weeks. What it means for defense, secondary
The Carolina Panthers have lost one of their best players on defense for at least the next four games.
The team placed starting safety Jeremy Chinn on injured reserve on Wednesday ahead of practice. The earliest he could return from IR is in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Chinn was injured during the 26-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. He played just six snaps before being sidelined. He was immediately replaced by a duo of backups in Myles Hartsfield and Sean Chandler.
Chinn has been one of the more dynamic players in the Panthers’ secondary since arriving in Carolina in 2020 as a second-round pick. The Southern Illinois alum has been used in a plethora of different ways and racked up 244 tackles, 12 pass breakups, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns in 35 career games. He had only missed two career games prior to this stint on IR.
In a corresponding move, the Panthers promoted veteran defensive back Juston Burris from the practice squad. Burris, a journeyman safety, will provide depth behind the combination of Hartsfield and Chandler and veteran Xavier Woods. Burris, an N.C. State alum, has played 75 career games (31 starts) and produced 147 tackles, 18 pass breakups and six interceptions during his six-year career. He has been with the Panthers since 2020, appearing in 23 games (20 starts) and producing 86 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions during his tenure.
The Panthers also brought back safety Kenny Robinson to fill Burris’ spot on the practice squad. Robinson was a fifth-round pick by the Panthers in the 2020 draft. He spent the past two seasons in Carolina, appearing 19 games. He was cut by the team following training camp in September.
With Chinn out and Burris in, the Panthers will need to be flexible in the secondary. That could mean more nickel duty for cornerbacks like Jaycee Horn and C.J. Henderson. It could also mean more outside work for Donte Jackson.
Along with Robinson, the Panthers have former Seattle Seahawks second-round pick Marquise Blair on the practice roster. He was given a standard elevation last week against the Cardinals and could receive a similar treatment moving forward. He is eligible for two more elevations before being subject to waivers.
The Panthers will host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium at 4 p.m.
This story was originally published October 5, 2022 at 1:14 PM.
