Shy

Tuttle

Tuttle missed the past two weeks with the foot issue and was limited in practice throughout the week. He appears to be on the right side of questionable but will need to make it through pre-game warmups before being cleared for action. Cornerback Dane Jackson, who opened the year on injured reserve, is also questionable.

Lewis suffered a UCL injury in Week 3 and missed Week 4. A return to practice this early in the week suggests he’ll be back after missing just one game. Andy Dalton came back to Earth last week, throwing for two touchdowns and one interception in a losing effort versus Cincinnati. Getting Lewis back in the lineup would help protect Dalton in his third start this season. The Panthers also got defensive tackle Shy Tuttle back at practice on Wednesday.

Robinson and DT Shy Tuttle (foot) were both unable to practice Wednesday. The thin defensive line unit cannot afford to lose more players. Robinson played through the injury last week but Tuttle was unable to go. Bengals RBs Zack Moss and Chase Brown would have ample room to run if both Panthers players fail to suit up in Week 4.

Tuttle is the biggest name on the list, leaving the Panthers relatively thin along the defensive line for their game against the Raiders. The big news out of Carolina this week was the quarterback change, with the team making the switch to veteran Andy Dalton as they search for their first win.

Fellow defensive lineman Shy Tuttle is listed as doubtful because of a foot injury. Robinson was added to the injury report as a limited participant on Thursday and remained limited on Friday, giving him a shot at suiting up on Sunday. Having already lost Derrick Brown for the year, the Panthers do not need any more injuries in their front seven.

Robinson has played in both games this season, but missed the first practice of Week 3 with a knee injury. The 29-year-old signed with the Panthers in the offseason and is one of the defensive line’s better players since Derrick Brown got hurt. DT Shy Tuttle (foot) also missed practice. If both can practice later in the week, it will be good news for their Week 3 statuses and the Panthers’ defensive line.

The Panthers also restructured DT Shy Tuttle’s deal, freeing up $10.7 million total. The team was more than $4.5 million in the red prior to the moves, which will allow the front office to address depth issues in-season.

The former undrafted free agent has been a standout run stuffer in his four NFL seasons, proving to be a critical piece for a Saints defense that in 2022 had one of the league’s best run defenses. Tuttle, 27, will join a Carolina defensive line graded by Pro Football Focus as last year’s 13th best rush defense. He had a career-high 49 tackles for the Saints in 2022.

Tuttle was an RFA tendered at the right of first refusal level. The 26-year-old is a former UDFA who has proven to be a load against the run. He will have 2022 defensive continuity with DC Dennis Allen ascending to head coach following Sean Payton’s “retirement.” It might make sense for the Saints to eventually sign Tuttle to a 2-3 year deal, though it is possible they consider him a replacement-level run plugger.

The Saints signed Tuttle as an undrafted free agent after the 2019 draft, and he’s played significant snaps on defense since, while also operating on the field goal and extra point blocking units. In 2021, he had an impressive season, finishing as Pro Football Focus’ 25th graded interior lineman. Tuttle was particularly strong in run defense. His return should help maintain the Saints’ strong play against the run.