Panthers injury report: The latest on Brian Burns, Yetur Gross-Matos and Ian Thomas

The Panthers are getting healthy down the home stretch.

While pass rushers Brian Burns, Marquis Haynes and Yetur Gross-Matos all missed the first two practices of the week with illnesses, the trio returned to the field Friday for the final workout before the Week 16 home game against the Green Bay Packers at Bank of America Stadium.

Burns, Haynes and Gross-Matos weren’t given statuses for Sunday’s matchup.

Tight end Ian Thomas (ankle), who missed the Week 15 win over the Atlanta Falcons, was given a “questionable” tag heading into the weekend. Safety Sam Franklin (quad/back) is questionable as well.

Beyond that group, linebacker Claudin Cherelus (knee), who remains on injured reserve, has been given a questionable tag, too. He would need to be activated by Saturday afternoon to play on Sunday.

Below is a look at the Panthers’ final injury report for Week 16:

Questionable: -TE Ian Thomas (ankle), S Sam Franklin (quad/back), LB Claudin Cherelus (knee)

This story was originally published December 22, 2023 at 1:01 PM.

Mike Kaye

The Charlotte Observer

Mike Kaye writes about the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. He also co-hosts “Processing Blue: A Panthers Podcast” for The Observer. Kaye’s work in columns/analysis and sports feature writing has been honored by the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA). His reporting has also received recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. Support my work with a digital subscription