Running back Josh Jacobs scored a touchdown to help the Packers to a win in Pittsburgh last Sunday, but he wasn’t able to fully participate in practice on Monday.
Jacobs was listed as a limited participant with the calf injury that’s been bothering him in recent weeks. Jacobs had 13 carries for 33 yards against the Steelers.
Wide receiver Christian Watson played for the first time this season in Week 8 and had four catches for 85 yards. Watson was also a limited participant in practice.
Left guard Aaron Banks (shin), kicker Brandon McManus (quad), right tackle Zach Tom (back), and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (knee) were the other limited participants on Wednesday. Linebacker Nick Niemann (pectoral), defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness (foot), and wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf) were out of practice.
Quarterback Bryce Young took a step forward in his return to the Panthers lineup on Wednesday.
Young missed last Sunday’s loss to the Bills with an ankle injury, but he moved up to full practice participation to kick off this week’s practices. That puts him on a path to get back in the starting lineup against the Packers in Week 9.
Young’s return is all the more significant since Andy Dalton did not practice. Dalton, who started in Young’s place, was sidelined by a right thumb injury.
The Panthers were also without guard Brady Christensen (Achilles), center Cade Mays (ankle, knee), right tackle Taylor Moton (knee), linebacker Princely Umanmielen (ankle), linebacker Trevin Wallace (shoulder), and safety Nick Scott (groin).
Left guard Damien Lewis (oblique), defensive lineman Derrick Brown (knee), wide receiver Jimmy Horn (shoulder), and guard Chandler Zavala (knee) were all full participants.
The Panthers offensive line has been thinned out by injuries, but they are getting one blocker back on the practice field this week.
The team has designated guard Chandler Zavala for return from injured reserve. Zavala has missed the last four games with a knee injury and could be activated in time to play against the Packers in Week 9.
Zavala started two of the first four games this season and has started 11 games since joining the team in 2022.
Robert Hunt, the team’s original right guard, is on injured reserve and the Panthers saw center Cade Mays, Hunt’s replacement Brady Christensen, and right tackle Taylor Moton get hurt in last Sunday’s loss to the Bills. Christensen is expected to miss time and updates on Mays and Moton will come after Wednesday’s practice.
The New York Giants had a very active “Tryout Tuesday,” with 11 free agents showing the coaching staff what they can do.
The group was headlined by receiver Diontae Johnson.
A third-round pick of the Steelers in 2019, Johnson was traded in 2024 to the Panthers and then to the Ravens. Released by Baltimore after refusing to enter a Week 13 game against the Eagles, Johnson was claimed on waivers by the Texans. Waived by the Texans, Johnson was claimed by the Ravens.
He signed with the Browns after the 2025 draft. Cleveland included Johnson in the roster cuts made as rosters were reduced to 53.
In 2021, Johnson became a Pro Bowler with 107 catches for 1,161 yards.
Also receiving workouts were receiver Jaylen Johnson, running backs Israel Abanikanda, Darrynton Evans, and Montrell Johnson, defensive backs Isaiah Bolden, O’Donnell Fortune, Jalen Kimber, Jarius Monroe, and Doneiko Slaughter, and quarterback Jaren Hall.
Hall, a fifth-round pick of the Vikings in 2023, was likely invited to throw passes to the other players.
The Panthers have made the signing of outside linebacker Trevis Gipson official, announcing the move on Tuesday afternoon.
To make room on the 53-man roster, Carolina has waived defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy.
A Panthers sixth-round pick in the 2024 draft, Crumedy has appeared in eight games over the last two years, including three in 2025. He’s recorded a total of two tackles in 44 defensive snaps and 14 special teams snaps.
Additionally, the Panthers have signed offensive tackle Michael Tarquin to the practice squad and released cornerback Michael Reid from the practice squad.
