Christian McCaffrey meant a lot to the Carolina Panthers. Chuba Hubbard, who played with McCaffrey and learned from him, was impacted most of all. By Alex Zietlow
The Panthers aren’t concerned about Bryce Young’s right ankle following the 30-27 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
The quarterback was a full participant during Thursday’s practice, according to head coach Dave Canales.
“He was able to move around and execute what we needed him to do today,” Canales said.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young celebrates a touchdown during Sunday’s fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Jonathan Bachman Getty Images
Young briefly left the overtime win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the first quarter after being stepped on by Falcons safety Billy Bowman during a sack. Young returned on the following drive and later led the team on a second-half comeback that eventually saw the Panthers take a short fourth-quarter lead. He ultimately spearheaded six total scoring drives, including the one that produced the game-winning field goal in overtime.
Despite limping to the podium for his post-game press conference on Sunday, Young was able to lead the offense in the team’s first practice of Week 12.
The Panthers are comfortable enough with Young’s health that they won’t promote third-string QB Mike White from the practice squad to the 53-man roster as a potential emergency option. White, who previously served as the team’s emergency third QB in the 16-13 win over the Green Bay Packers, would need to be on the main roster to be used in that role on Monday against the San Francisco 49ers.
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young runs the ball against Ronnie Harrison Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons during Sunday’s first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Todd Kirkland Getty Images
“It’s an option,” Canales said. “Right now, that’s not the plan this week, but it is an option. I’m glad (White) is here, continuing to hear our words, prepare with the guys, hear our conversations, be a part of the protection meetings — all of those things — so, if we need him, we can call on him.”
Young, who first hurt right ankle against the New York Jets in Week 7, has played in three games since missing the 40-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 8. While he’s had a couple of scares with the injury since his return, Young has won two of those three outings.
Even with the ankle injury, Young put up a franchise record 448 passing yards and three touchdowns against Atlanta.
“Everyone’s fighting through something at this point in the year,” Young said Thursday. “During practice — I’m in the training room all the time, doing everything I can — have a great training staff, doing all the stuff they want me to do. Always getting better, always feeling better on a day-to-day basis. Again, everyone’s dealing with something, that’s just the nature of football, of this league, especially this time of the year. Again, I’m excited and focused on football.”
Panthers injury updates: Wallace, Rozeboom still sidelined
Starting inside linebackers Trevin Wallace (shoulder) and Christian Rozeboom (hamstring) did not take part in drills during the media portion of practice on Thursday.
Wallace, who missed Sunday’s win over the Falcons, was given a “week to week” status by Canales last week. The coach still hasn’t changed his tune on Wallace, but he wouldn’t rule him out for Monday, despite his uncertainty.
“First and foremost, we have to evaluate Trevin — see where he’s at for this week,” Canales said. “Told you he was week to week (last week), and we’ll have more information on that.”
Carolina Panthers linebacker Trevin Wallace, back to camera and cornerback Corey Thornton, facing camera, look to make the tackle on Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams, center, during action on Sunday, October 12, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Cowboys 30-27. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Rozeboom injured his hamstring against Atlanta. He was the main signal-caller in Wallace’s absence against the Falcons, but with Rozeboom now nursing an injury of his own, there is some uncertainty about who would step up if both were ruled out against the 49ers.
Canales all but ruled out Rozeboom for the Week 12 matchup on Thursday, but he said the Panthers will continue to evaluate him.
“We’d hate to put him out there for a limited amount, knowing how he plays — the style, the aggression, physical nature that he plays with,” Canales said about Rozeboom. “We want to make sure he’s healthy, first and foremost.”
Claudin Cherelus, a tenured special teams contributor, produced 10 tackles and a pass breakup as a fill-in starter in the overtime win in Week 11. He would likely start if one of the two regular starting inside linebackers were to miss Monday Night Football.
Carolina Panthers linebacker Claudin Cherelus, left, tackles Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. on Sunday, October 13, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
The team also brought back inside linebacker Jacoby Windmon on the practice squad on Wednesday. Windmon played in eight games (two starts) for Carolina last season and spent the entire summer with the team before being cut in August. Windmon could be elevated to the game-day roster in case the team needs depth.
Veteran Krys Barnes, who was elevated for the win against the Falcons, is also still on the practice squad. He played 16 special teams snaps against the Falcons, and he has one more elevation left before he must be signed to the 53-man roster.
“Brought (Windmon) in here — a guy that’s familiar with what we do, from a special teams standpoint and a linebacker standpoint,” Canales said. “Love what Claud did in the game (against Atlanta). Krys Barnes is another guy that’s been around, that’s ready to go. And Maema Njongmeta, he got into the game a little bit at the end as well.
“So, we’ve got a couple of guys, a couple of options there. The picture will get a bit clearer once we know what’s going on with Trevin.”
Note: The Panthers will release their injury report later in the evening on Thursday and this section will be updated.
Quick hits
The Panthers enter Week 12 with the ninth-best record in the NFC. The 49ers own the seventh spot in the conference and would be the final playoff team in the wild-card round if the season ended right now. If the Panthers defeat the 49ers on Monday, they’ll be tied at 7-5 — with Carolina owning the head-to-head tiebreaker over San Francisco. The Detroit Lions (6-4) are the lone team between the 49ers and the Panthers in the overall NFC standings.
With former Panthers kicker Eddy Piñeiro dealing with a minor hamstring injury, the 49ers have signed former Los Angeles Rams kicker Matt Gay to their practice squad. Piñeiro has made all 22 of his field-goal attempts this season, including all six of his attempts of 50 or more yards. During his tenure in Carolina, Piñeiro made seven total field-goal attempts from beyond 50 yards.
Entering Week 12, there are six teams with two or fewer wins. The Tennessee Titans, at 1-9, could set a new basement record for the 17-game season. The Panthers, infamously, went 2-15 in 2023, creating the current low mark for the expanded schedule.
Second-round pick Nic Scourton is currently tied with Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Brown with three sacks on the season. The pair co-leads the team in that category. If Scourton can make up some ground over the next six games, he could be the first rookie since Julius Peppers in 2002 to lead the Panthers in sacks.