The Panthers have opened the 21-day window for cornerback Dane Jackson and tight end Ian Thomas to return to practice after both players started the season on injured reserve, according to ESPN’s David Newton.
Carolina took advantage of the NFL’s new IR rules after Jackson’s training camp hamstring injury, using one of its two preseason IR return designations to keep him eligible for the regular season without carrying him on the team’s initial 53-man roster. The Panthers did the same with safety Sam Franklin, leaving them with six return designations for the regular season. They will use one on Thomas after a nagging calf injury forced him onto injured reserve after final roster cuts, sidelining him for the team’s first four games.
Both Jackson and Thomas now have 21 days to begin practicing with the team while still on injured reserve. After those three weeks are up, the Panthers will either have to activate them to the 53-man roster or revert them to season-ending IR.
Jackson was expected to start at outside cornerback opposite Jaycee Horn heading into the season, but his injury gave Michael Jackson a chance to secure a starting job.
Thomas, meanwhile, could be a major boost to a tight end group that has struggled to begin the year. Tommy Tremble is leading the Panthers’ TEs with six catches for 52 yards, and neither he nor rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders have a single receiving touchdown. Thomas is not known as a dynamic pass-catcher, but his prowess as a blocker will aid a Carolina rushing attack that has relied heavily on Chuba Hubbard to start the year.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced that running back Jonathon Brooks and outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum will not be designated for return this week, per Joe Person of The Athletic. Brooks is still working his way back from a November 2023 ACL tear suffered in college, while complications from last season’s quadriceps tear have delayed Wonnum’s recovery and return to the field. Brooks resides on the reserve/NFI list, Wonnum on the reserve/PUP list.
Carolina will also be without inside linebacker Josey Jewell, who will miss “a few weeks” with a hamstring and groin injury, according to Newton, joining fellow starting ILB Shaq Thompson on the sidelines as he deals with an Achilles injury. Claudin Cherelus and Trevin Wallace are the next men up at inside linebacker, with veteran Jon Rhattigan also an option further down the depth chart.
The Raiders should trade Adams to Carolina! Why placate a jerk?