Panthers RT Freeling (concussion) sidelined Wed.

It’s yet another significant loss for the Panthers, who saw Jaycee Horn and Jalen Coker go down with injury in Week 3 against the Browns. Carolina will be without their starting guard for a little while, including this week against the Lions. Through three weeks the Panthers rank 25th in ESPN’s pass blocking win rate and 11th in run block win rate.

He’s joined by CB Jaycee Horn, who cut his foot while running and required stitches. Horn’s injury is expected to be a minor one. Moton, on the other hand, is expected to miss the start of the season and the “belief” is he’ll play in 2026. The Panthers later clarified that Moton is hopeful to return from clotting in his lung at “mid-season.” Rookie first-round tackle Monroe Freeling figures to step in for Moton early.

The giant Freeling will be blocking for the diminutive Bryce Young in Carolina. The Panthers offensive line in 2025 were graded by PFF as the league’s 17th best pass blocking unit. Freeling (6’7/315) enters the 2026 NFL Draft as one of the most physically gifted offensive linemen in the class, boasting rare movement skills and length for the position. The Bulldogs tackle brings a prototype frame at roughly 6-7, 315 pounds with nearly 35-inch arms, pairing that length with elite athletic traits highlighted by a freakish 9.99 Relative Athletic Score, including a 4.93s forty, 33.5-inch vertical and 9’7” broad jump. Freeling’s athleticism shows up consistently on tape, showing advanced movement capabilities in space, executing reach blocks, lead assignments and screen duties while displaying the quick feet to mirror edge rushers in pass protection. After a developmental sophomore season, Freeling made a major leap in 2025, posting an 86.1 PFF pass-blocking grade while allowing just two sacks and eight total pressures across 469 pass-blocking snaps. His length, quick redirect ability and fluidity passing off twists make him particularly effective against speed rushers and stunts. However, Freeling can struggle to maintain leverage and hand placement at times, with inconsistent run-blocking landmarks and occasional balance issues when he leans into contact.

McMillan was a DNP on Wednesday but was upgraded to a full participant on Thursday and Friday. The rookie receiver is officially off the injury report and good to go for Sunday’s pivotal Week 16 matchup against the Bucs. McMillan profiles as a low-end WR2 after failing to top 43 yards for three straight weeks. The Panthers also listed OG Damien Lewis, CB Jaycee Horn, and OT Taylor Moton as good to go for Sunday’s game.

The Panthers didn’t open Zavala’s 21-day return window until this week, but the third-year guard was listed as a full participant in all three practices. Players who log a full week of practice tend to suit up come game day, so it’s possible this questionable designation is more cautious optimism than anything else. In addition to Zavala the Panthers also listed OG Damien Lewis (oblique), OT Taylor Moton (knee), S Nick Scott (groin), and LB Trevin Wallace (shoulder) as questionable for Week 9.

Lewis suffered a UCL injury in Week 3 and missed Week 4. A return to practice this early in the week suggests he’ll be back after missing just one game. Andy Dalton came back to Earth last week, throwing for two touchdowns and one interception in a losing effort versus Cincinnati. Getting Lewis back in the lineup would help protect Dalton in his third start this season. The Panthers also got defensive tackle Shy Tuttle back at practice on Wednesday.

Lewis is dealing with a torn UCL that he hopes to eventually play through. That said, it doesn’t appear he’s recovered enough from the injury to play in Week 4 against the Bengals. In addition to Lewis, the Panthers have also listed OG Robert Hunt (hip) as questionable.

A torn UCL requires Tommy John surgery to repair, but Lewis is hoping to play through it. The nature of the injury more often affects ball throwers — i.e., pitchers/quarterbacks, but if Lewis can manage, he may opt to put off surgery until a later date. Lewis has been a DNP in each of the Panthers’ first two practices to open the week. We’ll see if he’s able to get on the field on Friday before heading into the weekend.

Moton was added to the injury report on Thursday as a DNP, suggesting the issues flared up mid-week. He was upgraded to a limited session on Friday before being listed as questionable. Left guard Damien Lewis (groin) is also listed as questionable. Lewis was limited for all three practice sessions of the week. Both linemen appear to be on the right side of questionable. Still, it’s a situation worth monitoring given how much Bryce Young struggled behind a healthy offensive line in Week 1.

Lewis joins ex-Dolphin Robert Hunt as the Panthers’ second big interior line addition of the day as they try to improve Bryce Young’s blocking. A 2020 third-round pick, Lewis was a starter for the entirety of his rookie deal in Seattle, but he was hot and cold with his effectiveness. He was reasonably durable, though he missed six games over the past three years. The Panthers are doing the right thing as they try to right the wrongs of Young’s awful rookie supporting cast.