| News |
|---|
|
Darren Waller Darren Waller Being eased into the mix
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 4:14 PM
Waller didn't practice Monday after officially signing with the Panthers, Mike Kaye of ESPN reports.
Analysis: It looks like the Panthers plan to ease the newcomer in, with coach Dave Canales noting Monday that Waller isn't likely to be full go in joint practices on Wednesday in Jacksonville, though it's possible the veteran tight end could log some individual work. Once he gets up to speed with his new team's offense, Waller has a chance to emerge as a viable pass-catching TE option for QB Bryce Young, a context that could land Waller (who recorded 24 catches for 283 yards and six touchdowns (on 34 targets) across nine regular-season appearances for the Dolphins in 2025) on the radar in deeper fantasy formats. |
|
Jalen Coker Jalen Coker Tallies 10 snaps in preseason loss
Sun, Aug 16, 2026, 9:22 AM
Coker played 10 snaps on offense and didn't show up in the box score otherwise during the Panthers' 29-14 loss to the Bills in Saturday's preseason game.
Analysis: Coker hauled in a nine-yard catch from Bryce Young early in the second quarter, but the play was negated by a penalty. Coker missed the first six games of the 2025 regular season due to a quad injury and had modest production upon his return, but he broke out in the Panthers' NFC wild-card loss to the Rams, when he logged nine catches on 12 targets for 134 yards and a touchdown. He inked a three-year, $35 million contract extension with Carolina in June and is slated to serve as the team's WR2 behind Tetairoa McMillan, with Xavier Legette, Jimmy Horn and John Metchie providing depth at the position. |
|
Jonathon Brooks Jonathon Brooks Gets start in Saturday's preseason loss
Sat, Aug 15, 2026, 6:32 PM
Brooks carried the ball three times for five yards and caught his only target for nine yards in Saturday's 29-14 preseason loss to the Bills.
Analysis: After sitting out Carolina's preseason opener last week in the Hall of Fame Game, Brooks got the start Saturday while Chuba Hubbard deals with a hamstring issue. Brooks didn't make much of an impact while playing the first three possessions, but the entire first-team offense struggled to move the ball. The first running back off the board in the 2024 draft has appeared in only three NFL games so far as injuries have ruined the start of his career, but the Panthers are confident he can still contribute. Rico Dowdle averaged 16.2 touches a game last season as Hubbard's main backfield partner, but that might be a lofty goal for Brooks' volume, assuming he's able to stay on the field in 2026. |
|
Bryce Young Bryce Young Little production in preseason loss
Sat, Aug 15, 2026, 6:18 PM
Young completed three of five passes for 18 yards in Saturday's 29-14 preseason loss to the Bills.
Analysis: The fourth-year QB got the start and played into the second quarter after sitting out the Panthers' preseason opener last week in the Hall of Fame Game, but the offense couldn't get much going as all three of Young's possessions ended in punts. The 2023 first overall pick has yet to prove he can be a franchise quarterback in the NFL, or even a reliable fantasy option, but Young did take a small step forward in 2025 by setting career highs in completion rate (63.6 percent), passing yards (3,011) and passing TDs (23) over 16 regular-season games. |
|
Not playing Saturday
Sat, Aug 15, 2026, 12:43 PM
Brown (knee) will not play in Saturday's preseason game against the Bills, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Brown's knee soreness has become a persistent issue. The Panthers will likely give the defensive end as much time as he needs, as the team cannot afford to lose another starting defensive lineman. Nic Scourton's (knee) season-ending injury still looms over the unit, so any additional injuries will be a big dent to the team's depth. |
|
Chuba Hubbard Chuba Hubbard Coach confident regarding RB's Week 1 status
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 10:50 AM
Head coach Dave Canales said Thursday that he's confident Hubbard (hamstring) will be available for the Panthers' regular-season opener against the Bears, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Canales revealed earlier Thursday that Hubbard is considered week-to-week due to a hamstring injury, but the head coach's clarification after Thursday's practice comes as a relief to Hubbard's prospective fantasy managers. Hubbard -- who had an MRI after feeling something grab in his hamstring during Wednesday's practice -- had originally been slated to work with Carolina's starters in Saturday's preseason opener against the Bills, but he will instead sit out while Jonathon Brooks will start, with Trevor Etienne and AJ Dillon also mixing in at running back. |
|
Jonathon Brooks Jonathon Brooks Set to start preseason opener
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 10:39 AM
Brooks will start Saturday's preseason game against the Bills, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Carolina's original plan was for Brooks to mix in alongside Chuba Hubbard, but head coach Dave Canales revealed Thursday that Hubbard is considered week-to-week due to a hamstring injury, per Mike Kaye of ESPN.com. While Hubbard is expected to be ready for Week 1 action, per Canales via Joe Person of The Athletic, his current absence opens the door for Brooks to make a case for the top spot on a running back depth chart that also includes Trevor Etienne and AJ Dillon. |
|
Chuba Hubbard Chuba Hubbard Week-to-week with hamstring issue
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 10:34 AM
Hubbard (hamstring) is considered week-to-week, head coach Dave Canales revealed Thursday, Mike Kaye of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Hubbard had been practicing without limitations but evidently sustained a hamstring injury in the lead-up to Carolina's second preseason game against the Bills on Saturday. The 27-year-old running back is unlikely to suit up during the preseason based on this timetable, and Hubbard's availability for the Sept. 13 regular-season opener will need to be monitored ahead of Week 1. Jonathon Brooks had been gaining momentum in Carolina's backfield competition even prior to Hubbard's injury. The Panthers also have Trevor Etienne, AJ Dillon, Anthony Tyus and Miles Davis in the backfield. |
|
Ja'Tavion Sanders Ja'Tavion Sanders Could be on roster bubble
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 9:21 AM
Sanders could have to battle for a roster spot for the remainder of the preseason with the Panthers slated to sign veteran tight end Darren Waller to a one-year deal, Mike Kaye of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Even before the Panthers brought Waller aboard, Sanders already looked to be third on the depth chart at tight end, as he played in the team's preseason opener versus the Cardinals last week while Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans were rested. A fourth-round draft pick in 2024, Sanders had still been viewed as the Panthers' top pass-catching option at the position, but he no longer holds that distinction following the addition of the 33-year-old Waller, who ended a one-year retirement last season and delivered an impressive 24-283-6 receiving line in just six games with the Dolphins. With Carolina also holding Feleipe Franks in high regard for his special-teams contributions, the team may prefer to enter the season with him as their No. 4 tight end over Sanders, who could be viewed as redundant now that Waller is in the fold. |
|
Tommy Tremble Tommy Tremble Faces competition with signing of Waller
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 8:23 AM
Tremble could face competition atop the depth chart at tight end with Carolina slated to sign Darren Waller to a one-year contract, Mike Kaye of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Regarded as a strong blocker, Tremble projects to enter his sixth season in Carolina as the team's starter, but he could end up ceding more work on obvious passing downs to Waller, who ended a one-year retirement in 2025 and delivered an impressive 24-283-6 receiving line on 34 targets over just six games with the Dolphins. Waller's receiving output was on par with Tremble's over his full 17-game slate with Carolina, as the latter contributed 27 catches for 249 yards and two touchdowns on 37 targets. The modest catch and yardage totals were all career highs for Tremble, who now appears likely to take a step back statistically in 2026 if Waller emerges as Carolina's top pass-catching tight end. |
|
Xavier Legette Xavier Legette Having strong training camp
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 10:10 PM
Coach Dave Canales highlighted Legette on Wednesday for having a strong training camp, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: "Really good to see him back out there playing like himself," Canales said. "Playing fast, just knowing where to be. He's doing a phenomenal job; he's the guy that we're counting on. He looks explosive. And then what I've seen him do is just make great plays on the boundary, back of the end zone, just some of those spatial plays where he can go attack the ball, find a way to get his feet down, and he's really attacked that part of his game, and that's something that I've seen him really improve on." Legette acknowledged he wasn't very good in 2025 and took a "step back" this offseason to refocus on getting better. He worked out with Bryce Young multiple times away from the team during the spring and now has a good chance to claim the WR3 role in Carolina after rookie Chris Brazzell was lost for the season due to a knee injury early on in camp. |
|
Chuba Hubbard Chuba Hubbard Set to share backfield in 2026
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 7:48 PM
Hubbard appears likely to operate in a committee with third-year pro Jonathon Brooks in the Panthers' backfield this season, Ben Cooper of Roundtable Sports reports.
Analysis: Hubbard slotted in behind Rico Dowdle at running back with Carolina in 2025, notching just 511 rushing yards and one touchdown, the latter of which was a career low, over 134 carries in 15 regular-season contests. With Dowdle heading to Pittsburgh via free agency this offseason, Hubbard seemed likely to return to being the Panthers' RB1 in 2026, but he may not run away with the job. Jonathon Brooks is entering his third season in the league, but he has missed all but three contests during his first two campaigns while recovering from a pair of ACL injuries. Brooks was selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and Hubbard is expected to split reps with the 23-year-old this season, likely ceding the majority of snaps to the youngster in clear passing situations. Hubbard has the more proven track record, but he'll have to prove that his disappointing 2025 campaign was just an anomaly, or he'll likely have a limited ceiling from a fantasy perspective again this season. |
|
Darren Waller Darren Waller Inks deal with Carolina
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 7:33 PM
The Panthers signed Waller (groin) to a one-year contract Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Waller came out of a one-year retirement last summer to join the Dolphins and appeared in nine regular-season games with Miami, registering 24 catches for 283 yards and six touchdowns as a red-zone weapon. Injuries have been Waller's downfall in recent years, and he missed considerable time last season with hip, pectoral and groin issues. His addition is bad news for all three of Tommy Tremble, Ja'Tavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans, who were all expected to see considerable playing time in a three-man committee at the position for the Panthers. Waller's main contributions figure to come on third downs and in the scoring area, assuming he makes the 53-man roster out of camp. |
|
Returns to practice
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 6:43 PM
Lewis (calf) was an active participant at the Panthers' training camp practice Wednesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Lewis was able to return to practice for the first time in a couple weeks as he appears to have fully recovered from the calf injury he suffered in late July. The 29-year-old is expected to operate as Carolina's starting left guard this season, and he will now be good to go for the team's preseason opener Saturday in Buffalo. |
|
Tetairoa McMillan Tetairoa McMillan Offseason work showing up in practice
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 2:48 PM
Coach Dave Canales said Wednesday that McMillan got "bigger and stronger" in the offseason, which has been apparent on the practice field in training camp, Mike Kaye of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: In particular, McMillan put a double move on CB Mike Jackson at Wednesday's practice, creating more separation than he would have previously after beating Jackson off the line before gathering in a touchdown from QB Bryce Young. "At the line of scrimmage, [McMillan] just hasn't really had an issue this camp," Canales added. "Getting off the line, I think that he's really translating all the work he did in the offseason." McMillan again is expected to serve as the top pass catcher in the Panthers offense this season after a 2025 rookie campaign in which he posted a 70-1,014-7 line on 122 targets in 17 regular-season games. |
|
Jonathon Brooks Jonathon Brooks Sharing work with Hubbard in next preseason game
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 11:17 AM
Panthers coach Dave Canales said Wednesday that Brooks will mix in with Chuba Hubbard during Saturday's preseason game against Buffalo, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Hubbard likely will get the start after both running backs (and numerous other players) were held out of the Hall of Fame Game last week. While Hubbard remains a clear favorite for the Week 1 start, Brooks is on track for a significant role that could include a steady mix of carries and targets. The preseason usage won't necessarily reveal much about the Week 1 plan, but it's still one of the more interesting situations to monitor for fantasy purposes this summer. |
|
Reverts to IR
Mon, Aug 10, 2026, 9:30 PM
Hampton (undisclosed) reverted to the Panthers' injured reserve list Monday, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Hampton was waived/injured Sunday and cleared waivers. The linebacker will now spend the entirety of the 2026 season on injured reserve unless he is waived with an injury settlement. |
|
Malick Meiga Malick Meiga Reverts to IR
Mon, Aug 10, 2026, 7:36 PM
Meiga (undisclosed) reverted to the Panthers' injured reserve list Monday, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: The Panthers waived/injured Meiga on Sunday, and the wide receiver went unclaimed throughout the waiver process. Meiga will now spend the entirety of the 2026 season on injured reserve unless he is waived with an injury settlement. |
|
Aims to play Saturday
Sun, Aug 9, 2026, 3:28 PM
Lewis (calf) should see some preseason work against the Bills on Saturday, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Lewis has been dealing with a calf injury since late July and is set to receive some snaps in Saturday's preseason opener. The starting left guard is adjusting to the issue, and game-situation snaps are likely the next step in his regular-season preparation. |
|
No return timeline yet
Sun, Aug 9, 2026, 1:15 PM
Wharton (neck) still does not have a clear return timeline, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Wharton started training camp on the active/PUP list due to neck surgery he had in mid-May. The defensive tackle has yet to be cleared for contact but has been participating in individual drills while he waits to be medically cleared. Wharton is coming off a career-high 36 tackles (11 solo) over nine regular-season games. |
Connect With Us:
