Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales provides some updates on a few injuries in the Week 3 loss to Cleveland.
Sunday was an ugly day for the Carolina Panthers. Coming off an impressive win in Atlanta in Week 2, the Panthers had the chance to get over .500 for the first time this season. All they needed to do was get a road win at Cleveland, a team fresh off their first win of the season as well.
But the Panthers couldn't do that.
Instead, some late mistakes cost the Panthers in the 21-18 loss in Week 3. Carolina committed a roughing the passer penalty that wiped away a game-sealing interception late in the game. From there, they gave up a game-winning touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter as Deshaun Watson hit Harold Fannin for a 14-yard strike.
It was a tough penalty and one of the big mistakes that the Panthers had in Sunday's loss on the road. But there was more than that and they were certainly impacted by injuries too.
Carolina saw injuries to a few players in this loss, most notably Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, and Jalen Coker. Starting with Coker, he left the game with a quad injury and did not return despite having three receptions for 22 yards and four targets.
His absence put Carolina in a tough spot at wide receiver as they already were without Xavier Legette already in the game. Horn also has a quad injury and had to leave the game as Carolina lost a major part to their secondary.
As for Jackson, he is dealing with a groin injury. Canales told reporters that he was 'nowhere close' to re-entering the game on Sunday. That's not a great sign right away for the Panthers.
The Panthers will return home for Week 4 and will host a good NFC team as the Detroit Lions come to Charlotte. Obviously, these injuries will be something to monitor all week long for the Panthers.
Losing a starting receiver like Coker would be tough. He has 16 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns. He's developed into a good number two receiver for Bryce Young in this offense and the confidence between them was growing.
Horn and Jackson are the starting corners for Carolina, and losing either for any portion of the season would be a big blow to that defense. The Panthers are going to need them in the long run if they want to contend in the NFC South this season.
