Jaelan

Phillips

Carolina also ruled out left guard Damien Lewis, who is dealing with a knee issue. Phillips also missed last week’s game because of a hamstring injury. The hope is that the mini-bye after Thursday Night Football is enough to get him back for Week 9. Phillips has 2.5 sacks this year.

Phillips is a big loss, but it’s an otherwise quiet list for the Panthers vs. a more-injured and undermanned Bucs squad. Phillips is week to week after pulling his hammy in Week 6 against the Eagles.

Phillips came into this game questionable with a hamstring injury but was able to suit up. Unfortunately, he got hurt early in the first quarter and is unlikely to return. Considering he had the bye week to heal and is not 100 percent, it seems likely that the EDGE rusher will miss some time with the injury.

Moton is tentatively on track to make his return from injured reserve this week. Meanwhile, RT Monroe Freeling (knee) sat out on Wednesday. Panthers DT Tershawn Wharton (neck) is practicing in full, while EDGE Jaelan Phillips (hamstring) was limited.

Phillips went down with a hamstring injury late in Sunday’s game against the Lions and didn’t return to the field. For a player with Phillips’ injury history, there were immediate concerns regarding the severity of the injury, but with a Week 5 bye on tap, the hope is Phillips won’t miss much time, if any. Phillips has totaled two sacks in his first four games of the season. In addition to Phillips, the team is also hopeful that OT Monroe Freeling (knee) will be able to return in Week 6.

Lloyd was one of the Panthers’ premier free agent additions this offseason, and he’s already proven to be worth the investment. Lloyd terrorized the Falcons in Week 2 with a sack and two interceptions, one of which was a pick-six. Fellow free agent acquisition Jaelan Phillips was also absent from practice today. He is dealing with a back injury. Though the Browns aren’t a particularly good offense right now, it would still be a massive boon for them if Lloyd and Phillips are out for Week 3.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the deal includes an eye-popping $80 million guaranteed. The Eagles were reportedly working to retain the 27-year-old (in May) pass rusher, but got outbid by the typically free-spending Panthers. A former Dolphin who flourished during his eight-game trade cameo for the Eagles last season, Phillips finally stayed healthy last year after an injury marred 2023-24 run. That’s a concern going forward, but Phillips is a pass-rushing difference maker when on the field.

It sounds like the Eagles are making a push to re-sign Phillips before the legal tampering period begins on Monday. Phillips, whom the Eagles acquired at last year’s trade deadline, totaled 28 tackles, two sacks, and one fumble recovery in his eight games with the team last season, and is believed to have a strong market should he become available. While the soon-to-be 27-year-old dealt with two serious injuries in 2023 and 2024, he managed to play in all 17 regular season games in 2025 and is a clear difference maker for any defense he’s on.

The Cowboys lost out on the Maxx Crosby trade sweepstakes and will have to pivot — they reportedly had some interest in Hendrickson at the deadline. Oweh probably makes more sense as a younger upside swing, and this is the third of four NFC East teams in on Jaelan Phillips that we’ve heard about.

Phillips came over in a midseason trade from Miami and had a great half-year in Philadelphia, posting a 77.1 PFF defensive grade in nine games. The Eagles stand to net a high compensatory pick if Phillips leaves, but it seems like they’d rather just keep the player.