The Panthers will remain shorthanded on defense against the Titans on Sunday.
The team released its final injury report of the week on Friday and it shows that they do not expect to activate cornerback Jaycee Horn from injured reserve. Horn is listed as doubtful as he works his way back from a hamstring injury and the Panthers said that neither safety Jeremy Chinn (quad) nor edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring) will be activated either.
Cornerback CJ Henderson has returned to practice as a full participant, but remains in the concussion protocol and joins Horn with a doubtful designation. Tight end Hayden Hurst is also in the protocol and has been ruled out.
Safety Sam Franklin (quad), linebacker Marquis Haynes (back), and linebacker Frankie Luvu (shoulder) are listed as questionable.
Sorry, fantasy football managers. Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson remains limited in practice.
Jefferson, who suffered a hamstring injury against the Chiefs in Week 5, has been practicing since November 8. He has been limited in every session.
The 6-5 Vikings have until November 29 to put him on the active roster or return him to IR for the rest of the season.
Also limited for the Vikings was tight end T.J. Hockenson (ribs) and cornerback Akayleb Evans (calf). Quarterback Jaren Hall (concussion), quarterback Nick Mullens (back), and linebacker Brian Asamoah II (ankle) fully participated.
Quarterback Josh Dobbs was on the report last week with an ankle injury. His name did not appear on Thursday’s initial report in advance of Monday night’s game against the Bears.
The Panthers will be able to give thanks for the return to practice of an injured player on Thursday.
Edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos has been designated for return from injured reserve. Safety Jeremy Chinn was designated for return on Wednesday, so the Panthers are getting healthier on defense.
The move opens a 21-day window for Gross-Matos to practice with the team. He must be activated before that window closes or he won’t be able to return at all this season.
Gross-Matos had 14 tackles and 2.5 sacks in the first six games of the season. His career high for sacks in a season was 3.5, so Gross-Matos was making a good transition to the Panthers’ 3-4 defense before his injury.
A key member of the Panthers secondary is on his way back to the field.
Safety Jeremy Chinn has been designated for return from injured reserve. Chinn has missed the last four games with a quad injury and can be activated at any point in the next 21 days.
Chinn had 23 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a pass defensed in his six appearances this season.
If the Panthers want to activate Chinn for Sunday’s game against the Titans, they will not need to open a roster spot. They placed guard Austin Corbett and defensive back Dicaprio Bootle on injured reserve. Both players suffered knee injuries last Sunday.
The NFL has announced the nominees for this season’s Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.
The award was established in the name of the late Steelers founder in 2014. It is given to a player who demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition.
Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell won the award last season while playing for the Ravens. Larry Fitzgerald, Charles Woodson, Frank Gore, Luke Kuechly, Drew Brees, Adrian Peterson, Teddy Bridgewater, and Matthew Slater are the other past winners.
This year’s nominees are:
Cardinals - Safety Buddy Baker
Falcons - Tackle Jake Matthews
Ravens - Guard Kevin Zeitler
Bills - Center Mitch Morse
Panthers - Wide receiver Adam Thielen
Bears - Linebacker T.J. Edwards
Bengals - Wide receiver Tyler Boyd
Browns - Guard Joel Bitonio
Cowboys - Quarterback Dak Prescott
Broncos - Center Lloyd Cushenberry
Lions - Tackle Taylor Decker
Packers - Running back Aaron Jones
Texans - Wide receiver Robert Woods
Colts - Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner
Jaguars - Wide receiver Christian Kirk
Chiefs - Linebacker Nick Bolton
Raiders - Defensive end Maxx Crosby
Chargers - Edge rusher Khalil Mack
Rams - Safety Jordan Fuller
Dolphins - Tight end Durham Smythe
Vikings - Edge rusher Danielle Hunter
Patriots - Center David Andrews
Saints - Center Erik McCoy
Giants - Linebacker Bobby Okereke
Jets - Linebacker C.J. Mosley
Eagles - Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox
Steelers - Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi
49ers - Fullback Kyle Juszczyk
Seahawks - Linebacker Bobby Wagner
Buccaneers - Linebacker Lavonte David
Titans - Running back Derrick Henry
Commanders - Wide receiver Terry McLaurin
