Panthers make several roster moves before matchup vs. Broncos, including elevating QB
The Carolina Panthers are banged up heading into their Week 8 battle with the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High. With an extensive injury report to monitor ahead of the matchup, the Panthers made a handful of roster moves Saturday to fill out their depth chart.
The team activated safety Sam Franklin (foot) from injured reserve, and he will make his 2024 debut against the Broncos on the road. Carolina also promoted defensive back Russ Yeast, who has experience in defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s system, to the 53-man roster from practice squad. In a corresponding move, the Panthers placed veteran safety Nick Scott (hamstring) on injured reserve. Scott had played in all seven games (four starts) for the Panthers this season.
The Panthers also elevated quarterback Jack Plummer and cornerback Caleb Farley from the practice squad to provide depth with quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) and cornerback Dane Jackson (hamstring) listed as “doubtful”.
Dalton sustained a right thumb injury in a minor car accident Tuesday, and the Panthers named Bryce Young as their starting QB on Wednesday. Plummer’s elevation likely means that Dalton’s status for Sunday is truly in doubt. Even if Dalton were to be active for the game, Plummer could serve as the emergency third QB.
Plummer, another undrafted rookie, has been with the Panthers since May. He made strides as a passer during training camp and the preseason and has spent the entire regular season on the practice squad. He knows the offense and has some upside, so he could be called upon if Young, the returning starter, struggles against the Broncos. Plummer will be in uniform for the first time in his career in the regular season.
Franklin, a special teams ace, could be asked to start opposite Xavier Woods in his return to the lineup. Franklin has been sidelined since the early day of training camp in August, but he has practiced in each of the last two weeks. Undrafted rookie Demani Richardson, who has yet to play on defense in the regular season, is another option opposite Woods. Yeast, a former Los Angeles Rams defender, will also provide depth as an extra player at the position. Yeast is also likely to fill Scott’s role on special teams.
Farley, a Maiden, North Carolina, native, will make his Panthers debut on Sunday. The former first-round pick of the Tennessee Titans hasn’t played in an NFL regular-season game since the 2022 season. He will provide depth behind Jaycee Horn, Chau Smith-Wade and Mike Jackson against the Broncos.
In addition to the roster moves, the Panthers have downgraded the statuses of running back Jonathon Brooks (knee - NFI) and defensive end Jaden Crumedy (ankle - IR). Brooks was listed as “doubtful” on the original report on Friday, but he is now listed as a “out”. Crumedy went from “questionable” to “out”.
Here is an updated look at the Panthers’ Week 8 injury report:
OUT: WR Diontae Johnson (rib), S Jammie Robinson (knee), WR Adam Thielen (hamstring), S Jordan Fuller (hamstring), OLB DJ Wonnum (quadriceps), RB Jonathon Brooks (knee), DL Jaden Crumedy (ankle)
DOUBTFUL: QB Andy Dalton (right thumb), CB Dane Jackson (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: LB Claudin Cherelus (hamstring), LB Josey Jewell (hamstring/groin), OT Taylor Moton (elbow), OT Yosh Nijman (knee), DL A’Shawn Robinson (knee), OLB Jadeveon Clowney (shoulder), S Sam Franklin (foot), TE Tommy Tremble (back)
This story was originally published October 26, 2024 at 2:16 PM.
