Dave Canales Discusses Carolina Panthers' Trade Deadline Strategy

The Carolina Panthers enter Week 10 with a 3-5 record but tied for first place in the NFC South. With all three teams having three wins, the division is wide open. 

The winner of this week's Saints/Panthers matchup will have at least a share of the division lead. And the way things are going, having a one-game lead is very important even at this stage of the season. 

As all three teams sit here with a chance, only one of them made some notable moves at the NFL Trade Deadline. The Atlanta Falcons kept their young core intact but they did move on from one player on the defense, trading away safety Jessie Bates. That was the biggest move in the division, with the other three standing pat.

That includes the Panthers. 

On Wednesday, head coach Dave Canales was able to answer questions for the first time since the deadline passed. The head coach was asked if the decision not to make moves was based on cap situation or that they are getting healthier with players returning. 

Canales' answer? All of the above.

The head coach mentioned how he's excited for the guys who are on injured reserve to return. That should come pretty soon as the team opened the practice window for Jonathon Brooks, Mike Jackson, and Xavier Lagette. All three have now practiced this week and could return soon. 

Carolina should also get some help back on the offensive line too. That's big a spot where they have suffered a few key injuries to starters which has hampered them. 

The Panthers' cap situation isn't good, either. They are dead last in the NFL in cap space at the moment and will need to make room ahead of this offseason. Right now, they just aren't in a position to take on a big salary either. 

For Carolina, if they can get some of these hurt players back they should be in good shape in terms of rounding out the roster. And sometimes those can be the best additions in the season. 

Plus, Carolina isn't known to be a team who picks up a player midseason via a trade. They haven't done it since the 2021 season and the needs that they had this year, it didn't make the most sense to go that route. 

The Panthers and Saints will kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday in New Orleans.