CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As the Carolina Panthers enter Week 14 of the NFL season and return from a bye week, they find themselves facing COVID-19 issues as eight players are placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, officials announced Monday.
Wide receivers D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel were among the eight players placed on the list.
In addition to Moore and Samuel, defensive tackles Derrick Brown and Zach Kerr, linebacker Shaq Thompson, tackle Greg Little, and punter Michael Palardy (who is on injured reserve) were also placed on the team’s COVID-19 list, according to officials. Wide receiver Ishmael Hyman was placed on the team’s practice squad/COVID-19 list.
The eight players that have been added to the list along with last week’s additions of defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos and practice squad defensive tackle Bruce Hector, gives the Panthers 10 players hitting COVID-19 lists in the last week.
It has not been disclosed whether the players on the list have tested positive for COVID-19 or whether they are quarantining due to close exposure to someone who has tested positive.
The Stats According To The Carolina Panthers:
If their absences are protracted, the Panthers would be extremely thin at a few positions heading into Sunday’s home game with the Broncos.
Taking away Moore and Samuel would subtract 36.5 percent of the team’s receptions (Moore has 50 and Samuel 54 of the team’s 285), 46.2 percent of their receiving yards (Moore 924, Samuel 517, team 3,120), and 46.7 percent of their receiving touchdowns (Moore four, Samuel three, team 15).
Their absence would leave the Panthers with Robby Anderson, Brandon Zylstra, and Pharoh Cooper as wideouts on the active roster. Zylstra and Cooper have combined for three catches for 44 yards this season. The Panthers also have Shelton Gibson and Marken Michel on the practice squad.
The Panthers are expected to get running back Christian McCaffrey back this week, which should help spread out the offensive load. Backup Mike Davis has 52 receptions this year, showing he’s able to be a key part of the passing game.
Depending on the length of their stays on the COVID-19 list, the Panthers could be thin on the defensive line as well, with rookie Bravvion Roy the only defensive tackle on the 53-man roster at the moment.
The Carolina Panthers are currently 4th in the NFC South with a record of 4-8. The Panthers are set to face the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. The Broncos are currently 3rd in the AFC West with a 3-8 record.
