The Carolina Panthers’ bye week is over. The last seven days have been nothing but rest for the black and blue. Their injured players got much-needed rest, while the healthy players spent their weekend relaxing and watching the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints fall on Sunday.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young appeared on College Game Day and went one-for-six on his picks, something Carolina has not seen him do since his rookie year. With Monday now here and the Bills and Rams playing the final game of Week 5, the Panthers returned to Charlotte to get ready for their matchup in Philadelphia on Sunday. Head Coach Dave Canales gave some updates on the key injuries that have plagued the Panthers in this beginning stretch.
Carolina Panthers Injury Update: 2 Key Players Gearing up for Their Return
Tershawn Wharton and Taylor Moton have their 21-day window open
Fans of the Carolina Panthers have finally got some good news regarding injuries. For the past four weeks, whenever the injury banner pops up in their feed, Carolina Panthers fans have covered and resigned, expecting to see their favorite player out for an extended period of time. However, this week, Dave Canales spoke to the media with updates on Taylor Moton and Tershawn Wharton.
Both Moton and Wharton started the season on the NFI and PUP Lists, respectively. Moton had been diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs near the start of training camp, putting his career and future on an unknown trajectory. This meant that rookie tackle Monroe Freeling was thrust into a starting role. So far, he has been serviceable, giving up only two sacks, but has a high pressure rate.
Wharton had neck surgery back in May, also putting him on an unknown timetable for his return. He was immediately placed on the PUP list, and the Panthers have tried to fill his role as the interior speed rusher. While there has been some success with Pat Jones, who has also missed time, there has been limited production elsewhere. Rookie Lee Hunter has so far been the most effective defensive tackle next to Derrick Brown, but on obvious passing downs, his slow pass rush has been a hindrance at times.
In a press conference, Dave Canales spoke of opening up the two players’ 21-day windows and bringing them back to practice. If all goes well, the two players will rejoin the team in about a week or so, bolstering Carolina’s injured roster.
Trevor Etienne will help the RB room
In the same press conference where coach Canales revealed that Moton and wharton’s windows were open, he also revealed the fate of Trevor Etienne, who began the season on IR. Etienne injured his knee during the final roster cutdowns, allowing Carolina to keep an open roster slot while placing him on IR. He is now ready to make his return. While his production was limited in his rookie season, sitting behind Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard, Etienne played well with special teams and passing situations for Carolina down the stretch in 2025.
In a year where the Panthers again lost Johanthan Brooks to am extend groin injury, getting Etienne back to give Carolina running back room of three backs allows for Hubbard and Dillon to get much need resort during games, as well as a buffer in anymore unexpected injuries happen. Etienne will most likely return to his role in special teams, giving Carolina another player with kick and punt return experience to work with.
The Last Word
The Carolina Panthers have been an injury riddle in the 2026 season. An early bye week came bearing fruit for the Panthers’ injury news. Taylor Moton and Tershawn Wharton’s return spells good things on the horizon for Carolina.
Moton will allow Freeling to return to the development pool, allowing him to review his film, watch a Panthers staple on the right side, and learn from him. It will also give Freeling a chance to get healthier himself, after suffering a concussion and a knee injury in the last two weeks.
Wharton’s return means that Carolina might get a boost in pass rush. Wharton has always had the speed and strength to work from the inside, and adding him to a room with Jaelan Phillips and Princely Umanmielen means Carolina will have a perfect blend of speed and power.
There will be 21 days for Carolina to elevate these two players, but if all goes well, then Wharton and Moton will be back on the field in no time, helping Carolina maintain control over the NFC South.
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Main Photo: [Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Network] – Reuters Connect