Carolina Panthers Could Get Good News on Injury Front in Week 6

The Carolina Panthers are on their bye week here in Week 5 following a big win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football. At 2-2, the Panthers are tied on top of the NFC South with the Atlanta Falcons but do have the tiebreaker due to a win in Week 2. 

Carolina's passing offense has been one of the best in the NFL through the first four weeks and they are hoping to keep that going. They took advantage of a bad Lions defense, putting up big numbers. That effort was led by quarterback Bryce Young and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.

With the offense clicking, the Panthers could be the favorite to win the NFC South this season for the second straight year. They are also doing all of this with some key injuries to both offense and defense. Among the players injured on offense is wide receiver Jalen Coker who got hurt in the Week 3 loss to the Cleveland Browns. 

Coker didn't play in Week 4 and with the bye week here, he might be inching closer and closer to a return. 

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported this week that the Panthers are 'hopeful' that Coker can return in Week 6 when the Panthers travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles. In the report, Fowler mentioned that Young is using the RPO as a weapon in the offense with the Detroit game perfectly showcasing that. 

Adding in Coker should make this offense much better. 

Through the first four weeks of the season, Coker has 18 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns in three games. He was the leading receiver going into Week 4 before Tetairoa McMillan had a career day in the win over the Lions. 

Now, as the season goes on, the thoughts of having Coker and McMillan playing at a high level in this offense is very intriguing. 

Coker may not be the only player on offense to return after the Week 5 bye, either. Head coach Dave Canales told reporters after the Week 4 win that running back Trevor Etienne will for sure be back. 

Carolina has been without Jonathon Brooks who suffered an injury in the Week 2 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Chuba Hubbard and AJ Dillon have handled the work load so far with Brooks out but getting another back in the lineup can beneficial for the Panthers. 

The Panthers return to action in Week 6 as they travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles.