Panthers Week 17 injury report: Key defender ruled out vs. Jaguars, four questionable
The Panthers won’t have top nickel cornerback Troy Hill available when they travel to Jacksonville this weekend to face off against the Jaguars.
Hill, who is in the league’s concussion protocol, failed to practice throughout Week 17. He was entered into the protocol during the 33-30 loss to the Green Bay Packers last week.
Jeremy Chinn and rookie Jammie Robinson are the likely candidates to replace Hill against Jacksonville.
While Hill won’t play against Jacksonville, starting cornerback Jaycee Horn (toe) has a 50-50 chance to play on Sunday. The Panthers listed Horn as “questionable” entering the weekend. Horn practiced on Friday after missing the first two workouts of the week.
Joining Horn on the “questionable” list are pass rusher Marquis Haynes (back), left tackle Ickey Ekwonu (foot) and linebacker Frankie Luvu (quad), who all practiced on Friday. Haynes was a full participant, while Ekwonu and Luvu were limited.
Interim head coach Chris Tabor said he felt good about the availability of Ekwonu and Luvu heading into the matchup against Jacksonville. He said the team will monitor them heading into the weekend.
On the opposite side, the Jaguars ruled out starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder), according to multiple reports. Backup CJ Beathard will start in Lawrence’s place.
Here is the final Panthers injury report for Week 17:
Out: CB Troy Hill (concussion protocol)
Questionable: CB Jaycee Horn (toe), OLB Marquis Haynes (back), LT Ickey Ekwonu (foot), LB Frankie Luvu (quad)
Quick hits
▪ While Tabor declined to name the starting offensive line for this weekend, it’s worth noting that Nash Jensen has been benched in back-to-back weeks at right guard for veteran Gabe Jackson.
Update: Jackson was promoted from the practice squad to the main roster on Friday. A corresponding move was not needed as the team had an open spot on the 53-man roster.
▪ The Panthers signed offensive lineman Ilm Manning to their 53-man roster on Thursday. Manning, a rookie, has bounced around this season. He spent the offseason with the San Francisco 49ers before landing with the Arizona Cardinals. He eventually found his way back to San Francisco via the 49ers’ practice squad. The Panthers signed the 6-foot-2, 294-pound lineman off the 49ers’ practice squad to add depth to the group for the future. Manning, a Glendale, Arizona, native, played college football at Hawaii.
This story was originally published December 29, 2023 at 12:36 PM.
