Panthers defense facing several injury questions heading into Baltimore Ravens game
The Carolina Panthers will likely be without two key defensive starters on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.
Defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis will not play Sunday at Baltimore the team announced Friday. Ioannidis is battling a calf injury he suffered in the team’s 25-15 victory against Atlanta.
Without Ioannidis, Marquan McCall and Daviyon Nixon will be expected to play alongside Derrick Brown against the Ravens’ run-first offense.
The team will also be without safety Juston Burris, who is dealing with a concussion. Carolina did active safety Jeremy Chinn last week. Chinn practiced all week, but his status for Sunday is unclear. If Chinn is active he will help bolster the run defense.
“Jeremy (Chinn) is still in work in progress,” interim head coach Steve Wilks said. ”We’re gonna make a decision throughout the weekend. He’ll be a game-time decision for us. Hopefully, he’ll be able to show up for us.”
Nickel corner Myles Hartsfield is doubtful with an ankle injury. The team does not expect him to play. If he doesn’t, cornerback Jaycee Horn will likely slide inside while C.J. Henderson and Keith Taylor man the outside cornerback spots.
Tae Hayes could see an expanded role along with veteran cornerback T.J. Carrie. Carolina signed Carrie to the practice squad on Tuesday. Carrie played for Wilks in Cleveland when he was the defensive coordinator.
On Monday, Wilks said quarterback PJ Walker would not play due to an ankle injury from the game against the Falcons. The team officially declared Walker out on Friday. Baker Mayfield will start and Sam Darnold will back him up.
The offensive game plan is not expected to change as the team transitions back to Mayfield. Wilks said the team would like to get Darnold some opportunities to play. If Mayfield turns the ball over early. then Darnold could replace him. A late double-digit Carolina lead would also help Darnold’s chances of playing Sunday.
Horn, tight end Giovanni Ricci (neck), tackle Taylor Moton (elbow) and linebacker Frankie Luvu (illness) were all full-practice participants on Friday. All three are expected to play.
