Team news: Carolina Panthers | Page 1

WR Jalen Coker is doubtful for Sunday.

Related Players: Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, David Moore

The rookie had some decent games heading into the team's Week 11 bye, but hasn't been able to see the field in the two weeks since. He's a safe drop in most every league size but remains an interesting Dynasty hold as we look ahead to 2025.

Panthers coach Dave Canales says running back Jonathon Brooks is good to go Sunday for his NFL debut.

Related Players: Chuba Hubbard

The wait is over, but we're still not certain how much of a role he will play in Week 12, or the rest of the season for that matter. Continue to consider Hubbard an RB2 as we take a wait-and-see approach with Brooks' fantasy relevancy.

Panthers expect to get Adam Thielen back this week.

Related players: Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, David Moore

Thielen has missed all this time with a hamstring injury but looks like he'll be back in a game against the Chiefs. The team announced Bryce Young as the starting QB, but either way, it will be tough to trust Thielen in fantasy lineups in his first game back in a tough matchup. Thielen could have some value in deeper leagues if he's still on your wire, but the Panthers may want to get more looks from their younger WRs. It's best to take the "wait-and-see" approach with Thielen this week.

Canales says he “fully expect(s)” Jonathon Brooks to play this week.

Related players: Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Raheem Blackshear

However, Canales added they still need to go through the week of work. The team doesn't expect Sanders (foot/ankle) to play, after we last saw him get carted off the field in Germany in Week 10. Brooks should back up Hubbard this week against the Chiefs, and it seems likely the team may ease Brooks into action after waiting this long to get him into his first game. It should be a tough go against the Chiefs and with the team likely playing from behind, it seems like Hubbard and Blackshear could see work on passing downs as the Panthers try to play catch-up. It's probably best to take the "wait-and-see" approach with Brooks.

Bryce Young will start at QB vs. the Chiefs, per Panthers HC Dave Canales.

Related players: Andy Dalton

Young has been decent enough to help the Panthers win their last two games, Week 9 over the Saints and Week 10 in Germany over the Giants. In that two-game span Young has thrown for 297 yards with two TDs and just one INT. But it's a much tougher test coming in Week 12 against the Chiefs, and to make it worse KC is coming off its first loss of the season. It won't get much easier for Young after that assuming he remains the starter, hosting the Bucs and then traveling to the Eagles in Week 14. The team gets the Cowboys at home in Week 15 and the Cardinals at home in Week 16 before traveling to Tampa in Week 17 and then to Atlanta in Week 18. It just makes sense for the Panthers to see what kind of progress Young can make for the rest of the season.

Forgotten moment from yesterday in the aftermath of the worst loss in franchise history: Jaguars WR Gabe Davis left the locker room on crutches with his left leg in a brace. Suffered a knee injury during the game against Lions.

Related players: Brian Thomas Jr., Christian Kirk, Parker Washington, Austin Trammell, Tim Jones, Elijah Cooks, Devin Duvernay

UPDATE: It's been reported Davis has a torn meniscus. It hasn't yet been determined if Davis will need a trim or a full repair, according to reports. Pro Football Talk reports Davis would be done for the season needing a full repair. However, with the Jags at 2-9 and coming off a horrible loss to the Lions, there is really no need to bring Davis back. It looks like Thomas will remain the team's top target at WR but with Kirk and Davis now potentially done for the year, Washington moves up the depth chart.

Dalton Kincaid (knee) WILL NOT play against the Chiefs, Sean McDermott announces on WGR 550.

Spencer Brown (ankle) and Amari Cooper (wrist) are both questionable.

Related Players: Dawson Knox, Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins, Curtis Samuel

Knox gets boosted up into tight end streamer territory, in a good matchup against the Chiefs, who have been susceptible to the position.

Shakir should be considered an interesting WR3 regardless, but gets a boost to his projections should Cooper miss another week.

Mike McCarthy moving away from running back by committee concept, declaring Rico Dowdle the No. 1 RB. “Rico needs to touch the ball,” he said.

Related Players: Ezekiel Elliott, Deuce Vaughn, Dalvin Cook, Hunter Luepke

This is great and all, but the Cooper Rush-led offense looked beyond miserable last week, and it's hard to see how it's going to get much better moving forward. Consider Dowdle a high-floor/low-ceiling RB3 in Week 11.

Panthers RB Miles Sanders, who was carted off with a foot/ankle injury in Germany, is considered day-to-day after extensive tests and a visit with an expert, sources say.

They want the swelling to go down, and he could miss a little time. But as of now, not considered major.

Related Players: Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks

Even with the Panthers Week 11 bye week, it's hard to envision much of a role for Sanders moving forward, with Brooks slated to become a part of the offense after the bye. Even if Brooks doesn't see the field, Sanders shouldn't be held on any fantasy rosters right now.

The Panthers have activated WR Adam Thielen from IR.

Related players: Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, David Moore

Thielen is at the end of his 21-day window to practice and has been dealing with a hamstring injury. It's tough to tell just what the Panthers will do with Thielen in their WR pecking order, but he may very well step right in an be a top target. The Panthers seem like they're trying to get QB Bryce Young to develop with Legette and Coker, but Thielen could also prove to be a nice security blanket for Young. Those looking for WR help may want to make room on your roster for Thielen, especially the deeper the league.