Panthers’ plan at linebacker with Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherelus on injured reserve
The Carolina Panthers are down to veteran Josey Jewell and not much else — at least in the way of proven commodities — at the inside linebacker position.
Tuesday, the Panthers placed third-round pick Trevin Wallace (shoulder) and fellow linebacker Claudin Cherelus (toe) on injured reserve.
As The Observer first reported, Cherelus sustained a significant toe injury in the 30-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. He is expected to have surgery on the injured toe, according to two separate league sources.
Wallace sustained his shoulder injury in the 22-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14.
Wallace had started eight of the first 13 games this season, as he filled in for veteran starter Shaq Thompson, who sustained a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Wallace produced 64 tackles, a sack and two forced fumbles during his initial NFL season.
Cherelus, a second-year special teams ace, was filling in for Wallace against the Cowboys when he sustained the non-contact injury. He was replaced by special teams ace Jon Rhattigan in the loss.
How Panthers plan to replace Wallace and Cherelus
While Jewell is an entrenched starter at inside linebacker, he will need a new co-pilot at the position for the final three weeks of the season.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales played it coy on Wednesday when asked about Josey’s new partner.
“It could be a great opportunity for guys to get in there and show what they can do, especially at this point in the season,” Canales said. “Just being around the system, hearing the words, and so it could be a fantastic opportunity there.”
Rhattigan, who played college ball at Army, is a veteran player, who spent his first three seasons in Seattle, but he has limited experience as a cog on defense.
Prior to this season, Rhattigan played a total of 19 defensive snaps over three years with the Seahawks. The 6-foot, 236-pound linebacker played just one defensive snap in relief against the Cowboys.
“I feel comfortable,” Rhattigan said. “I think we have a good coaching staff that’s done a good job this whole year, trying to bring me up to speed and get me ready, and we have a really good group of linebackers. Unfortunately, Trevin and Claud are a little bit banged up right now, but having a guy like Josey in the room, who is really, really beneficial to learn from, I feel good and I feel confident. I definitely believe in my abilities.”
After placing Cherelus and Wallace on injured reserve, the Panthers promoted 6-foot-2, 250-pound linebacker Jacoby Windmon from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Windmon has played in five games — mostly on special teams — this season for the Panthers, and he is likely to get some run with the defense over the next three weeks.
In a way, this is an audition for Windmon as Carolina plots its future at the position.
“I feel really comfortable in (the defense),” Windmon told The Observer Wednesday. “Guys like Josey Jewell, Trevin — they do a really good job of just keeping me up to date with the playbook and helping me out whenever I need it. And these next three games are most important — I’m just worried about the next game ahead, taking it one day at a time, and I just go from there.”
Beyond Windmon and Rhattigan, the Panthers could potentially experiment with their safeties at the position.
Special teams ace Sam Franklin, while listed as a safety, has played linebacker in the past. Rookie safety Demani Richardson has also played quite well against the run and could see more action if the Panthers decide to go heavier on defensive back personnel.
Jewell, 29, signed a three-year, $18.75 million deal in March. He has produced career-high totals in sacks (3.5) and pass breakups (6) this season for Carolina in just 11 games.
Still, the 6-foot-1, 236-pound linebacker will need to step up even more, regardless of who is next to him, over the next few weeks.
“Josey’s been great this year,” Canales said. “Whether he’s been on the field or off the field, he’s been just a stud. He’s been consistent — there’s not a lot of B.S. with Josey. He’s a pretty straightforward guy, he comes about his work, he’s very serious about it, plays with passion on game day.”
For what it’s worth, Jewell has dealt with his fair share of traffic around him on defense. He believes his new fellow starter — who remains a mystery — will be able to stand in for Wallace and Cherelus.
“I think we just have a couple of different guys — a next man up thing,” Jewell said. “I think they’ve been doing a great job of being able to do that with all the injuries and the young guys that we’ve had to play. And I think the next guy will get the next chance, and he’ll hopefully step up, and I think he will.”
David Tepper excited about ‘extremely good management team’
The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation hosted its sixth annual “Joy to the Carolinas” event at Bank of America Stadium on Tuesday.
During the event, David Tepper spoke with optimism about his current Panthers leadership group, endorsing the early work of Canales, GM Dan Morgan and EVP of Football Operations Brandt Tilis.
“Listen, I think we’re building something special,” the Panthers owner said. “And, you know, these guys, they’re … just an extremely good management team. And listen, we’re just getting started, so we’re just building momentum through this year and … it’s just building and building and building, and I think, you know, we’ll build in the next few years.
“So, I’m pretty excited to tell you the truth.”
The Teppers and their foundation hosted more than 700 children from Boys & Girls Club and YMCA programs in the Carolinas.
The children were chosen from Second Harvest’s Kids Cafe Program. Attendees were given toys and shoes and were treated to a holiday dinner with players serving as guest servers.
More than 40 current players took part in the event, including Wallace, running back Jonathon Brooks, tight end Ian Thomas, center Austin Corbett and wide receiver Xavier Legette, who are all dealing with notable injuries.
Of that group, only Legette remains on the active roster.
Panthers injury report to start Week 16
The Panthers began preparation for the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday at practice without outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (knee/illness), wide receiver Xavier Legette (hip) and defensive end A’Shawn Robinson (knee). Several other players received “rest days.”
Did not participate: OLB Jadeveon Clowney (illness/knee), DB Sam Franklin (neck/personal), S Xavier Woods (rest), WR Xavier Legette (hip), RB Chuba Hubbard (rest), OLB D.J. Wonnum (rest/knee), LB Josey Jewell (rest), WR Adam Thielen (rest), CB Jaycee Horn (rest), DE A’Shawn Robinson (knee)
Limited participation: WR David Moore (concussion)
Full participation: RB Raheem Blackshear (chest)
Quick hits
▪ Despite being held to 32 rushing yards against the Cowboys in Week 15, running back Chuba Hubbard is still sixth in the entire NFL with 1,043 rushing yards. Entering Week 16, Hubbard is one of just six players to have eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards on the season. He enters the week as the seventh-ranked running back for rushing first downs with 54 chain-moving totes.
▪ Panthers legend and former wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. was named to the East-West Shrine Bowl’s All-Century Team on Tuesday. The list includes the Top 100 players to participate in the annual college all-star game. Smith was the offensive MVP of the 2001 East-West Shrine Bowl game.
▪ Along with promoting Windmon to the 53-man roster on Tuesday, the Panthers also promoted wide receiver Dan Chisena from the practice squad to the main roster. Chisena has appeared in three games for Carolina. Mostly known for his special teams prowess, Chisena has one catch for six yards on the season. The team also re-signed linebacker Jackson Mitchell and wide receiver Dax Milne to the practice squad on Wednesday in corresponding moves.
▪ The Atlanta Falcons, the Panthers’ Week 18 opponents, have benched veteran QB Kirk Cousins. The team will move forward with first-round pick, rookie Michael Penix Jr. as the starting QB. Penix has appeared in just two games and thrown five passes this season.
This story was originally published December 18, 2024 at 4:20 PM.
