Panthers will be without three defenders vs. Broncos. Marshall, Thomas game-time decisions
The Carolina Panthers will face the Denver Broncos on Sunday without linebacker Cory Littleton (ankle), safety Myles Hartsfield (ankle) and defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis (calf).
The injured trio was ruled out by interim head coach Steve Wilks on Friday. Hartsfield and Ioannidis will miss their second consecutive game, while Littleton will be sidelined for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury in last week’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
With Littleton set to miss the matchup, the Panthers will use veteran Damien Wilson and rookie Brandon Smith in his place. Smith played against the Ravens with Littleton sidelined in the second half.
Wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. (shoulder) and tight ends Ian Thomas (illness) and Stephen Sullivan (illness) will be game-time decisions for the matchup against Denver at Bank of America Stadium.
If Marshall were to miss Sunday’s matchup, Laviska Shenault Jr. would probably replace him in the starting lineup. Shi Smith, who missed the first two practices of the week with illness before returning Friday, and Rashard Higgins could also see additional snaps in Marshall’s potential absence.
The Panthers will use Tommy Tremble more often if Thomas and/or Sullivan are ultimately ruled inactive. Fellow tight end Giovanni Ricci (neck) was listed as doubtful on Friday.
Third-string quarterback PJ Walker (ankle) was also listed as a doubtful after being a limited participant in practice this week. Sam Darnold will start at quarterback against the Broncos, while Baker Mayfield will serve as his backup.
“He looked well, he really did,” Wilks said about Darnold’s week of practice. “Great throws all week long. And what I’m looking for, again, is just good operations of the scheme and the offense. Great communication with the offensive line, really putting us in the best position with our protections and the different things that we see. And most importantly, right here, protecting the football.”
The Broncos have the NFL’s third-best defense, so the Panthers will need all the help they can get on offense.
After receiving a rest day on Wednesday, running back D’Onta Foreman will be ready to roll. Right tackle Taylor Moton received a rest day on Thursday, but he avoided having a status on the final injury report.
Safety Juston Burris, who has missed the past three games in concussion protocol, was left off the injury report to end the week. He is likely to make his return against the Broncos, giving the Panthers some extra options in their ever-changing secondary.
Backup offensive tackle Cam Erving missed the first two practices of the week with illnesses, but both players returned to work on Friday. Offensive lineman Larnel Coleman also had an illness all week and was left off the injury report. Coleman has been a healthy scratch in his previous four weeks with the team.
