Jeremy

Chinn

Chinn finished second in the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year voting to former Commanders EDGE Chase Young. A former second-round pick of the Panthers, Chinn’s last two years have been injury-plagued, as he’s appeared in just 23 of 34 regular-season games since 2022. In his two healthy seasons, Chinn totaled 100-plus tackles and five pass breakups and has been solid in pass coverage. A versatile safety who is capable of lining up anywhere on defense, he’ll make for an interesting fit in Dan Quinn’s defense.

Chinn was placed on the IR after hurting his quad against the Dolphins in Week 6. At the time of his injury, Pro Football Focus graded the Panthers defense as the league’s eighth worst coverage unit, and it’s only been worse since he’s been gone. Being designated to return opens up Chinn’s 21-day practice window, so the team will now have up to three weeks to decide when to get him back on the field for game action. When they do, it will improve Carolina’s defense but not to the extent that it will drastically change how you play fantasy players against them.

It was previously reported that Chinn could miss up to six weeks, so it makes sense for the Panthers to place him on the IR and give him time to heal. The injury is not expected to be season-ending but losing one of their best players for an extended period of time will be a tough blow for this Panthers defense to overcome.

Chinn’s quad injury is not expected to be season ending, per Schefter, but the struggling Carolina defense will be without one of their best players for the next month and a half. Pro Football Focus grades the Panthers defense as the league’s eighth worst coverage unit. Last week, the Dolphins had the fourth highest EPA per drop back against the Panthers. They’ll be a target for opposing quarterbacks and pass catchers throughout the 2023 season.

Chinn has been sidelined for six weeks with a hamstring injury and Horn missed some practice time this week with a rib issue. The Panthers are going to need all the help they can get against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore passing offense. Panthers declared QB PJ Walker, DT Matt Ioannidis, T Larnel Coleman, WR Rashard Higgins, and TE Giovanni Ricci inactive against the Ravebs.

The news comes an hour after the team ruled out S Myles Hartsfield, bringing much needed help to a secondary ravaged by injuries. Chinn and the Panthers could have their hands full with the potential return of Ravens tight end Mark Andrews.

The Panthers play on Thursday this week, so it is unlikely Chinn is ready to go for that game, but he is at least back on the practice field. One of the better safeties in the league, Chinn’s return will be a boost for Carolina’s defense.

Chinn is currently on injured reserve and hasn’t resumed practicing. Wilks said the team hopes he can return for Week 10. Chinn racked up more than 100 tackles in his first and second seasons in the NFL, but the hamstring issue cost him all but three games plus a few snaps in a fourth contest this year. He had one sack and two pass defenses through four weeks.

Chinn will miss at least the next four weeks. It’s quite a blow to the Carolina secondary, which, according to Pro Football Focus, is the 12th best in the league through Week 4. He has 17 tackles and one quarterback pressure this season.

The team is parting ways with Boston less than a year after signing him to a three-year, $18 million contract. Bosto’s release will be after June 1 and save the Panthers $3.55M against the cap. The team could move Jeremy Chinn to safety, where he played in college. Boston has spent time with the Chargers and Cardinals, but has spent most of his pro career in Carolina. Boston in 2020 was graded by Pro Football Focus as the No. 124 safety in the NFL. Boston, 28, likely sign a team-friendly contract with another team this offseason.