Not again.
Carolina Panthers TE Mitchell Evans was carted off the field on Tuesday with an ankle injury.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales said after practice that Evans got rolled up on and that the initial diagnosis indicates the injury is not viewed as serious.
"They (the medical staff) are pretty optimistic," Canales said. "But we're going to do a full evaluation just to make sure there's nothing happening in there. ... I'll give you more information as we do the full evaluation."
Panthers LB Nic Scourton suffered a torn ACL last week and will miss the 2026 season. It looks like Carolina avoided another serious injury with Evans.
For the Panthers last season, Evans finished with 19 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns. He was the 163rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Even though the Panthers won the NFC South title last season, they finished with a sub-.500 record and needed help in Week 18 to win the division. Dave Canales and Co. must prove next season that they didn't just benefit from playing in the league's weakest division.
Carolina has a tough 2026 schedule. They face the Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.
Last season, Bryce Young finished with 3,011 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 216 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He led the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.
The first overall pick in the 2023 draft, Young enters next season with 8,291 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 718 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in a Carolina uniform.
Young is set to make $12.1 million next season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. His fifth-year option is worth a guaranteed $25.9 million.
Most NFL insiders don't expect the Panthers to sign Young to an extension this offseason since the QB has been too inconsistent. Young has to play well again next season to earn an extension.
