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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Another quiet showing
Sat, Jan 10, 2026, 9:12 PM
Dowdle recorded five rushes for nine yards in Saturday's 34-31 wild-card round loss to the Rams. He added one reception on two targets for six yards.
Analysis: Dowdle has been particularly inefficient to close the season, averaging only 3.3 yards per carry across Carolina's final four regular-season contests. He also lost his status as the team's lead back in the playoff loss, with Chuba Hubbard out-touching Dowdle 15-6. Dowdle is headed to free agency for the second consecutive offseason, and he is likely to be signed as a complementary back given his fade down the stretch after a strong start to 2025. |
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Chuba Hubbard Chuba Hubbard Two scores in playoff loss
Sat, Jan 10, 2026, 8:56 PM
Hubbard rushed the ball 13 times for 46 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday's 34-31 wild-card round loss to the Rams. He added two receptions on four targets for 13 yards.
Analysis: Hubbard worked as the clear lead back, out-touching Rico Dowdle 15-6. While he didn't break any explosive plays or work very efficiently, Hubbard did manage to punch in a pair of scores from one and three yards, respectively. He will be a difficult player to assess for 2026, as he worked behind Dowdle for much of the 2025 campaign. However, he regained a more significant role in the offense late in the season, while Dowdle is set to become a free agent. |
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Bryce Young Bryce Young Valiant effort in loss
Sat, Jan 10, 2026, 8:43 PM
Young completed 21 of 40 passes for 264 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Saturday's 34-31 wild-card round loss to the Rams. He added three rushes for 24 yards and an additional score.
Analysis: The Panthers have tried to hide Young for significant stretches of the season, relying on a particularly run-heavy offense. However, the game plan was more aggressive Saturday, as he reached 40 pass attempts for only the third time in 17 total games this season. Young showed particular rapport down the field with Jalen Coker, connecting for gains of 52 and 37 yards. He also scrambled for a 16-yard touchdown just before halftime while delivering a seven-yard passing score to Coker to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. While Young's performance has been volatile throughout the early portions of his career, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Saturday morning that the Panthers are expected to pick up Young's fifth-year option this offseason. That makes it very likely that he will enter the 2026 season as Carolina's starting quarterback. |
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Tetairoa McMillan Tetairoa McMillan Five catches in playoff loss
Sat, Jan 10, 2026, 8:29 PM
McMillan recorded five receptions on seven targets for 81 yards in Saturday's 34-31 wild-card round loss to the Rams.
Analysis: McMillan was overshadowed by Jalen Coker, but he still turned in a solid showing of his own. He particularly played a key role on a touchdown drive in the second quarter, logging consecutive receptions of 14 and 22 yards. Overall, McMillan closed his rookie season having topped 70 receiving yards in three of his last five games, setting him up to take a potential step forward in his sophomore season. |
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Jalen Coker Jalen Coker Big showing in postseason debut
Sat, Jan 10, 2026, 7:31 PM
Coker recorded nine receptions on 12 targets for 134 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 34-31 wild-card round loss to the Rams.
Analysis: The Panthers nearly pulled off the significant upset, and Coker was a key to the offense's success. He led the team in every stat and pulled in a seven-yard touchdown catch with 2:39 remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Panthers the lead. Coker also chipped in long catches of 52 and 37 yards to record the highest single-game yardage total of his career, even more impressive considering it was his first appearance in the postseason. Coker missed the first half of the regular season with a quadriceps injury, but he looks capable of forming a solid wide receiver duo with Tetairoa McMillan in 2026. |
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David Moore David Moore Not playing vs. Rams
Sat, Jan 10, 2026, 2:27 PM
Moore (coach's decision) is inactive for Carolina's wild-card matchup versus the Rams on Saturday.
Analysis: Moore was just activated off injured reserve earlier in the week but will nonetheless be held out of Saturday's game. Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker and Xavier Leggette should continue to serve as the team's top receivers against Los Angeles, while Moore will look to suit up next week should the Panthers advance to the divisional round. |
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James Mitchell James Mitchell Three catches in 2025
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 6:01 PM
Mitchell caught all three of his targets for 28 yards across five regular-season games in 2025.
Analysis: The 2022 fifth-round pick from Virginia Tech operated as Carolina's No. 4 tight end and was active primarily when Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle, IR) or Tommy Tremble were sidelined this season. Mitchell contributed both offensively and on special teams during his five appearances, logging 46 offensive snaps and 39 on special teams. He's set to become a restricted free agent following the Panthers' 2025 playoff campaign, but his future with the team remains uncertain, as Sanders, Tremble and rookie Mitchell Evans are all under contract for 2026. |
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Mitchell Evans Mitchell Evans Solid rookie campaign in Carolina
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 5:51 PM
Evans caught 19 of 25 targets for 171 yards and two touchdowns and rushed once for one yard across 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Analysis: Despite opening the season as the Panthers' No. 3 tight end, Evans started 10 games and played 391 offensive snaps during his rookie campaign, largely due to Carolina's frequent use of two- and three-tight-end sets. The 2025 fifth-round pick from Notre Dame was used primarily as a blocker but also held his own as a receiver, averaging 9.0 yards per reception. With Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle, IR) out for Carolina's 2025 playoff run, Evans is set to operate as the team's top backup behind Tommy Tremble. Even with Tremble and Sanders under contract for 2026 season, Evans will likely be more involved in the Panthers' offensive game plan. |
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Brycen Tremayne Brycen Tremayne Performs well in depth role
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 5:35 PM
Tremayne caught 14 of 18 targets for 160 yards across 16 regular-season games in 2025.
Analysis: Tremayne had appeared in just two NFL games and totaled minus-2 receiving yards prior to his 2025 campaign with the Panthers, but he emerged as a valuable contributor this season. The Stanford product tallied 11.4 yards per reception while also playing a significant role on special teams, logging 262 offensive snaps and 231 on special teams. Set to become an exclusive-rights free agent following Carolina's 2025 playoff run, Tremayne is expected to be retained by the Panthers. If he returns for 2026, he'd likely remain a depth option at wide receiver while contributing on special teams. |
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Jimmy Horn Jimmy Horn Limited role during rookie campaign
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 2:06 PM
Horn caught 11 of 15 targets for 108 yards and rushed eight times for 69 yards across 14 regular-season games in 2025.
Analysis: Horn didn't play an offensive snap until the Week 5 win over the Dolphins and wasn't a major portion of Carolina's offensive game plan during his rookie season. The Colorado product finished the year as the Panthers' 10th-leading receiver and fifth-leading rusher. However, after flashing his blazing speed on a few occasions this season, Horn will likely be more involved in Carolina's offense following the team's 2025 playoff run. |
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Trevor Etienne Trevor Etienne Primary return man in rookie season
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 1:51 PM
Etienne rushed 20 times for 94 yards and caught all three of his targets for 13 yards across 17 regular-season games in 2025. Additionally, he recorded 733 kick-return yards and 163 punt-return yards.
Analysis: The 2025 fourth-round pick from Georgia was buried behind Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard in the Panthers' backfield, so it's no surprise he didn't see much offensive work throughout his rookie campaign. However, Etienne established himself as Carolina's top return man, finishing the regular season with the 19th-most kick-return yards in the NFL. While Dowdle is set to hit unrestricted free agency, the Panthers will still have Hubbard and 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks (knee) under contract next season, suggesting the backfield could remain crowded. As a result, Etienne will likely remain one of Carolina's top return specialists following the team's 2025 playoff run. |
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David Moore David Moore Returns from IR
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 9:38 AM
The Panthers reinstated Moore (elbow) from injured reserve Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Though Moore had been a full participant in practice for each of the previous three weeks, the Panthers waited until his 21-day evaluation window came to a close Tuesday before bringing him back from IR. Carolina waived receiver Hunter Renfrow to clear a spot on the 53-man roster for Moore, who had recorded one reception for five yards on one target while adding 12 yards on his lone carry in four appearances before he landed on IR on Oct. 1 due to a dislocated elbow. Despite making a full recovery from the injury, Moore isn't guaranteed to be active for the Panthers' postseason opener Saturday versus the Rams. |
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Tommy Tremble Tommy Tremble Big game without Sanders
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 11:01 AM
Tremble caught three of four targets for 38 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers.
Analysis: With Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle, IR) out for the Week 18 divisional matchup, Tremble assumed more of a receiving role in the Panthers' tight end room. The Notre Dame product finished as Carolina's third-leading receiver and caught Bryce Young's first touchdown pass of the day. Tremble has appeared in all 17 of the Panthers' regular-season games this year, catching 27 of 37 targets for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Carolina now needs Atlanta to beat New Orleans on Sunday to force a three-way tie for the NFC South title. In that scenario, the Panthers would hold the tiebreaker and make the playoffs as the NFC's No. 4 seed. |
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Xavier Legette Xavier Legette Three catches vs. Tampa Bay
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 10:57 AM
Legette caught three of four targets for 22 yards during Saturday's 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers.
Analysis: Legette's three catches Saturday marked his highest total in a game since the Week 12 loss to the 49ers. The 2024 first-round pick had a costly drop in the first quarter that cost the Panthers a first down, but he was otherwise perfect the rest of the way. On the season, Legette caught 35 of 64 targets for 363 yards and three touchdowns across 15 appearances. The Panthers now need the Falcons to beat the Saints during their Week 18 clash to force a three-way tie for the NFC South title. In that scenario, Carolina would hold the tiebreaker and host a wild-card playoff game. |
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Jalen Coker Jalen Coker Impresses in Week 18
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 10:50 AM
Coker caught six of seven targets for 47 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers.
Analysis: The second-year pro from Holy Cross led the Panthers in targets and receptions while finishing with the second-most receiving yards during Saturday's loss. Coker has established himself as Carolina's No. 2 wideout since returning from injury in the Week 7 win over the Jets, catching 33 of 43 targets for 394 yards and three touchdowns across 11 appearances. Following the Week 18 defeat, the Panthers now need the Falcons to beat the Saints on Sunday to force a three-way tie for the division title. In that scenario, Carolina would hold the division tiebreaker and earn the No. 4 seed in the NFC playoffs, hosting a wild-card game. |
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Chuba Hubbard Chuba Hubbard Meager production on seven touches
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 9:42 PM
Hubbard rushed five times for 10 yards and secured both targets for seven yards in the Panthers' 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday.
Analysis: Hubbard's day was as unproductive as his line suggests, although backfield mate Rico Dowdle fared even worse on the ground (1.4 yards per carry). The fifth-year pro's production saw a significant downturn in 2025 compared to the last two seasons, as a two-game absence in Weeks 5-6 opened the door for Dowdle to take over the lead-back role for an extended period. Hubbard finished with 511 rushing yards (3.8 yards per carry) and one touchdown while adding a 30-223-3 receiving line across 15 games, and he'll remain in a timeshare with Dowdle in the wild-card round if the Panthers qualify for the postseason via a Falcons win over the Saints on Sunday. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Forgettable afternoon in loss
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 7:32 PM
Dowdle rushed seven times for 10 yards and brought in both targets for 20 yards in the Panthers' 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday. He also lost a fumble and recovered another.
Analysis: Neither Dowdle nor Chuba Hubbard had any success against the Buccaneers' stout defensive front, with each back netting only 10 rushing yards. Dowdle made an impact with a 25-yard grab on one of his catches, while his other reception resulted in a five-yard loss. Additionally, his lost fumble came early in the fourth quarter at the Buccaneers' 24-yard line, and while it didn't lead to points since Chase McLaughlin had a 38-yard field-goal attempt blocked, it certainly robbed Carolina of what seemed to be a high-percentage scoring opportunity. Despite the disappointing finale, Dowdle had plenty of important contributions in his first Panthers season on his way to 1,076 rushing yards and six touchdowns alongside a 39-297-1 receiving line over 17 games, and he'll continue to play a key role in next weekend's wild-card round if the Falcons defeat the Saints on Sunday and make the Panthers the NFC South champions in the process. |
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Bryce Young Bryce Young Solid numbers in loss
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 7:26 PM
Young completed 24 of 35 passes for 266 yards with two touchdowns and one interception and rushed twice for minus-1 yard in the Panthers' 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday. He also committed a fumble recovered by Carolina.
Analysis: Young finished with an exponentially more aesthetic stat line than in his forgettable 54-yard performance against the Seahawks in a Week 17 loss, but the end result was still the same for his team. The third-year signal-caller spread the ball around plenty, connecting with nine different targets. Young hit Tommy Tremble and Jalen Coker for his pair of eight-yard scoring tosses, while his one interception came on the first play after the two-minute warning in the first half at Tampa Bay's 42-yard line and led to a Bucs field goal. Young's passing yardage total was his second highest since Week 3, and he wraps up the 2025 regular season with career highs in completion percentage (63.6), passing yardage (3,011), touchdown passes (23) and interceptions (11) across 16 games. Young and his teammates will pull for the Falcons to defeat the Saints on Sunday and make the Panthers the NFC South champions in the process, thereby allowing them to continue their season in next weekend's wild-card round. |
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Tetairoa McMillan Tetairoa McMillan Solid showing in loss
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 7:05 PM
McMillan brought in four of six targets for 85 yards and lost a fumble in the Panthers' 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday.
Analysis: McMillan paced the Panthers in receiving yards while checking in second to Jalen Coker in both receptions and targets. The rookie wideout's lost fumble came on Carolina's desperation lateral-heavy final play, when he lost the handle at his own 36-yard line to quell any chance of an extremely longshot bid to score a touchdown with no time remaining. McMillan did manage to get over the 1,000-yard mark for the season with his production, finishing his first NFL regular campaign with a 70-1,014-7 line while appearing in all 17 games. If the Falcons are able to defeat the Saints on Sunday, McMillan will also have his first NFL postseason appearance to look forward to in next weekend's wild-card round. |
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Hunter Renfrow Hunter Renfrow Healthy scratch for Week 18
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 2:20 PM
Renfrow (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: Renfrow continues his streak of healthy scratches. The Panthers will roll out Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Jimmy Horn and Brycen Tremayne for the Week 18 divisional matchup, leaving Renfrow as the odd man out once again. |
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