Commanders running back Brian Robinson returned to practice this week after missing last Sunday’s loss to the Ravens with a knee injury and he’s in play to return to action against the Panthers this weekend.
Head coach Dan Quinn said at his Friday press conference that Robinson had a good week of practice and is “trending up” in regard to being able to play this weekend. Quinn said a final decision will be made this weekend about his availability, but it sounds like the expectation is that he’ll be able to play.
Defensive end Dorance Armstrong will not be in the lineup, though. Quinn ruled Armstrong out with a rib injury, so the defensive line will be thin after defensive tackle Jonathan Allen was placed on injured reserve this week.
Safety Tyler Owens, who has a shin injury, was also ruled out by Quinn.
The three teams that made rookies their Week One starting quarterbacks have to be pleased with the results.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix improved to 4-3 as a starter on Thursday night, joining Caleb Williams on the 4-2 Bears and Jayden Daniels on the 4-2 Commanders in reaching four wins as rookies.
It’s a reminder that the right rookie quarterback, with the right team around him, can win quickly. Gone are the days when it was just assumed that a rookie quarterback needed time to adjust to the NFL. and a team with a rookie would either let him develop on the sideline or let him take his lumps in what was sure to be a losing season. NFL teams today expect their rookie quarterbacks to start and to win.
It’s also an unfortunate reflection on Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, who was the first overall pick in the draft a year before Nix, Williams and Daniels. Young doesn’t have four career wins yet. Or even three. The Panthers benched him after two starts this season, and his current record as a starter is 2-16.
There was a time when young quarterbacks like Terry Bradshaw and Troy Aikman could rack up losses early in their careers and then win multiple Super Bowls. In today’s NFL, there’s less patience for that. Young quarterbacks are expected to win, and win now.
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson and linebacker Jadeveon Clowney are two of the headline names on a long Panthers injury report on Thursday.
The Panthers have 22 names on the report with Johnson (ankle) and Clowney (shoulder) both listed as non-participants. It’s the second straight day that both players have been sidelined and they have been joined by linebacker Claudin Cherelus (hamstring), linebacker Josey Jewell (hamstring, groin), right tackle Taylor Moton (elbow), linebacker Jon Rhattigan (knee, illness), and defensive end A’Shawn Robinson (knee) both days.
Running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) didn’t practice Thursday after getting in a limited workout in his first on-field action since being designated for return. Cornerback Troy Hill and running back Chuba Hubbard both returned to full practice after a rest day.
Left tackle Ickey Ekonwu (elbow), linebacker Marquis Haynes (back), and tight end Ian Thomas (hip) were added to the report as limited participants. Wide receiver David Moore (knee), defensive end LaBryan Ray (ankle, knee), and safety Nick Scott (hamstring) were limited for the second straight day.
Center Andrew Raym (concussion), tight end Tommy Tremble (concussion), cornerback Dane Jackson (hamstring), defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy (ankle), safety Sam Franklin (foot), and tackle Yosh Nijman (knee) were full participants on Thursday.
The Commanders were missing a key offensive piece during last Sunday’s loss to the Ravens, but they may be back to full strength this weekend.
Running back Brian Robinson took part in practice on a limited basis. Robinson missed the Ravens game with a knee injury and the Commanders got just 30 rushing yards on 11 carries by Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols, so they’ll be happy if he’s able to go against the Panthers.
Defensive end Dorrance Armstrong (rib), tight end Zach Ertz (rest), and safety Tyler Owens (shin) were out of practice on Wednesday.
Guard Nick Allegretti (ankle), wide receiver Noah Brown (groin), safety Percy Butler (groin), defensive end Clelin Ferrell (knee), linebacker Frankie Luvu (toe), defensive back Quan Martin (neck), wide receiver Terry McLaurin (rest), and defensive tackle Daron Payne (knee) joined Robinson as limited participants.
Help is officially on the way for Carolina’s offense.
The Panthers have opened the practice window for running back Jonathon Brooks, the team’s second-round pick out of Texas.
Brooks suffered a torn ACL during his last season of college ball last November. head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that the team was expecting him to return to practice this week.
Brooks has been on the non-football injury list. The Panthers will have 21 days to activate him to the 53-man roster.
Additionally, the Panthers have opened the practice windows for safety Sam Franklin Jr. and defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy. Both players are currently on injured reserve. Franklin has been recovering from a foot injury and Crumedy an ankle injury.
The Panthers also signed receiver Dan Chisena to their practice squad.
