The Carolina Panthers will get to restock their roster with some important contributors in the near future.
Following the Panthers’ 34-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, more than a handful of notable names are eligible to return from their respective injured lists. Among that group is a pair of projected starters, cornerback Dane Jackson and outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum, and a pair of rookie draft picks, running back Jonathon Brooks and defensive end Jaden Crumedy.
Prior to the NFL’s cutdown deadline in August, cornerback Dane Jackson (hamstring) and safety Sam Franklin (foot) were placed on injured reserve with return designations. Since then, five other players have been placed on injured reserve. Jackson and Franklin have missed the required four weeks in order to be eligible for a return, as have tight end Ian Thomas and defensive end Jaden Crumedy.
▪ The Panthers have two players on the reserve/physically unable to perform list (D.J. Wonnum and Amare Barno) and one player on the reserve/non-football injury list (Jonathon Brooks). The Panthers can activate a 21-day practice window before moving any of those three players onto the 53-man roster. So, while those players are eligible to practice as soon as this week, that does not mean they will immediately return to the game-day roster on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
▪ Defensive end Derrick Brown had knee surgery that will keep him out for the rest of the season. He wouldn’t be eligible to return this week regardless because he was placed on injured reserve in Week 2. Wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) and safety Jordan Fuller (hamstring) are also ineligible to return from injured reserve this week because they were placed on the list last week.
Players eligible to return this week
▪ RB Jonathon Brooks (NFI / knee): The second-round pick hasn’t taken a team rep or been tackled since November of last year. When he was drafted in April, the team’s brain trust and the rookie both projected Brooks to return in time for training camp at some point in August. However, he missed the entire summer and spent the first month of his rookie season on the PUP list.
While Brooks is an excellent prospect — the first running back off the board in the draft — the Panthers have little reason to push him onto to the field immediately. Chuba Hubbard is playing quite well and Miles Sanders is a competent enough backup to help carry the load for a few more weeks.
▪ CB Dane Jackson (IR / hamstring): The former Buffalo Bills cornerback was brought in to start opposite Jaycee Horn this season. However, he sustained a hamstring injury in the middle of a productive summer in training camp. He was one of two Panthers players to be assigned a pre-cutdown deadline injured reserve return designation.
Jackson has been replaced in the lineup by Mike Jackson, who was acquired in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks during the preseason. It’s fair to wonder whether Mike Jackson will remain in the starting lineup after Dane Jackson returns, as the former has played quite well with the latter sidelined.
▪ TE Ian Thomas (IR / calf): The longtime Panthers tight end has been sidelined since the summer. He was placed on injured reserve in Week 1 and has watched the Panthers play from the sideline ever since. The Panthers currently have starter Tommy Tremble, rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders and special teams ace Feleipe Franks at tight end on the 53-man roster.
Thomas is a top-tier blocker at the position. When he returns, the Panthers will be able to take advantage of more 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TEs) looks, especially in the run game.
▪ OLB D.J. Wonnum (PUP / quad): The Panthers signed Wonnum to a two-year contract in March to start at outside linebacker. The former Minnesota Vikings pass rusher underwent surgery for a quad injury last winter, but he was expected to get on the field around the start of training camp in July. However, following a setback, the Panthers took it easy with Wonnum, and he began the season on the PUP list.
Wonnum would be a welcome addition to the outside linebacker depth chart, as veterans Jadeveon Clowney and Charles Harris could use some support in the rotation. D.J. Johnson and Tarron Jackson have flashed at times but another proven presence would be helpful. Wonnum had eight sacks for the Vikings last season.
▪ DB Sam Franklin (IR / foot): The Panthers’ special teams captain has been sidelined since the first week of training camp with a broken foot. While he has still been present at practice, Franklin’s outlook for a return remains uncertain.
Franklin is the Panthers’ best special teams player, and he provides additional depth at safety with Fuller on injured reserve. The Panthers are using Xavier Woods, Nick Scott, Jammie Robinson, Russ Yeast and rookie Demani Richardson at the position right now.
▪ DE Jaden Crumedy (IR / ankle): The sixth-round pick injured his ankle during the preseason opener against the New England Patriots in August. Despite being a developmental talent, Crumedy could be thrust into a big role upon his return because of Brown’s absence. The Mississippi State alum could also provide notable depth on the line with Shy Tuttle (foot) sidelined for the moment.
Outside of Tuttle, the Panthers currently have Jayden Peevy, A’Shawn Robinson, Nick Thurman and LaBryan Ray on the defensive line within their 53-man roster.
▪ OLB Amare Barno (PUP / knee): Barno tore his ACL during the home stretch of last season. While he isn’t expected to be back immediately upon his eligibility, the third-year outside linebacker seems set to return at some point this season. Barno is a special teams ace and received some playing time on defense during his first two seasons with the team.
