The Panthers made a handful of roster moves Saturday ahead of their Week 7 road matchup with the New York Jets.
The team activated wide receiver Jalen Coker (quad) and offensive lineman Austin Corbett (knee) off the injured reserve list. The Panthers also placed outside linebacker Patrick Jones (back) on the injured reserve list.
Outside linebacker Carlos “Boogie” Basham was elevated from the practice squad to fill in for Jones’ absence.
The Panthers entered the weekend with an opening on their 53-man roster, so only one corresponding move was needed to activate Corbett and Coker together.
Coker has been sidelined since before Week 1. He injured his quad in practice after the NFL cut-down deadline and was subsequently put on injured reserve. Coker had his 21-day practice window activated last week, but the Panthers decided against activating him for the Week 6 win over the Dallas Cowboys. With Coker returning to the lineup, he is expected to be the team’s primary slot receiver. Coker will team with first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette as the team’s three primary receivers.
Carolina also has sixth-round pick Jimmy Horn Jr., veteran Hunter Renfrow and special teams standout Brycen Tremayne at the position.
Corbett was placed on injured reserve in Week 3 after suffering a knee injury in a Week 2 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The veteran lineman was the team’s starting center for the first two weeks of the season, but he has since been replaced by Cade Mays, who has played well in his absence. It is unclear what Corbett’s role will be upon his return with May thriving at center and Brady Christensen standing out at right guard. The Panthers are also monitoring a shoulder injury for starting left guard Damien Lewis, so it’s possible that Corbett could factor into the starting lineup, even if he doesn’t reclaim the center job.
Jones, one of the team’s two starting outside linebacker, suffered a lower back injury in the win over Dallas. Head coach Dave Canales said Wednesday that Jones will undergo season-ending back surgery, making his eventual placement on injured reserve a mere formality. Jones, in four games this season, produced nine tackles, a pass breakup and a sack. He previously missed two games due to a hamstring injury.
Basham, a Wake Forest alum, has only been active for one game this season. He played against the New England Patriots while Jones dealt with his previous hamstring injury. He produced two tackles in 17 total snaps on defense and special teams. During his career, Basham has appeared in 41 career games and produced 59 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He will serve as depth behind the likes of D.J. Wonnum, Nic Scourton, Princely Umanmielen and Thomas Incoom.
Heading into the weekend, the Panthers listed the following players as questionable: Coker, Corbett, Lewis, right tackle Taylor Moton (elbow) and defensive end Tershawn Wharton (toe). Coker and Corbett no longer have injury statuses and will suit up against the Jets.