Panthers Week 3 injury report: Two defensive starters out, Legette questionable
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Panthers ruled out Wharton and Jones with hamstring injuries for Week 3 game.
- Legette listed as questionable after limited practice; depth receivers ready.
- Rookies Scourton and Umanmielen expected to fill key defensive roles Sunday.
The Carolina Panthers will be without two defensive starters Sunday in their season opener against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. They also might be without starting wide receiver Xavier Legette.
Friday, Panthers head coach Dave Canales ruled out defensive end Tershawn “Turk” Wharton (hamstring) and outside linebacker Patrick Jones (hamstring). The team also listed Legette (hamstring) as questionable.
Wharton’s absence was expected, as Canales previously said he would miss two to four weeks following an injury Wharton sustained against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. Wharton will be replaced in the lineup by Bobby Brown (knee), who returned to practice on Friday. Brown missed Thursday’s workout but did not have a place on the final injury report, indicating he should be fine to play against Atlanta.
With Jones out, Canales said rookie Nic Scourton, a second-round pick, will receive the bulk of the early down work at outside linebacker, Canales said. Third-round pick Princely Umanmielen will continue to be used on obvious passing downs, per the head coach. D.J. Wonnum, an incumbent starter, will lead the group, while special teams ace Thomas Incoom and run-stopper D.J. Johnson rotate into the defense.
Legette, who injured his hamstring in practice Wednesday, was limited throughout the week. Thursday, Legette sounded optimistic about his outlook heading into the game. Legette is coming off a poor performance in the Week 2 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, as he registered just one catch for minus-two yards on eight targets. He has just eight receiving yards on four catches this season.
If Legette can’t play, the Panthers will need to rely on Brycen Tremayne and David Moore opposite Tetairoa McMillan and Hunter Renfrow. There stands a chance that sixth-round pick Jimmy Horn could be used if Legette is forced to miss the game. Horn has yet to be active on a regular-season Sunday.
