Panthers Get Big Update on Injured Starter Before Week 13 vs. Bucs

The Carolina Panthers look to get back into the win column on Sunday after suffering a tough three-point loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last week. The Panthers will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of American Stadium, who beat the New York Giants 30-7.

The Panthers’ defense will have its hands full on Sunday, as the Buccaneers’ offense got star wide receiver Mike Evans back last week and they ran for 157 yards and four touchdowns. For Carolina to not suffer the same fate as the Giants, they’ll need their defense to limit big gains on the ground and apply pressure to Baker Mayfield.

Carolina hopes to have veteran pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who was listed as DNP on the first two days of practice this week with a knee injury. 

However, according to Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer, Clowney was taking it easy during the stretch period at Friday’s practice.

Nonetheless, the final Week 13 injury report should provide a clearer picture of Clowney’s game status for Sunday. In last week’s loss to the Chiefs, the 31-year-old pass rusher recorded three combined tackles, three quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.

The last time Clowney recorded a sack was in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. This season, the former No. 1 overall pick has 30 combined tackles, 10 QB pressures, six tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.

With the Panthers shockingly releasing Charles Harris earlier this week, if Clowney can't go it could be Cam Gill getting some extra run on the edge. Kenny Dyson Jr. was elevated from the practice squad last week too, and he could be another option. Those names really highlight how thin this unit will be if Clowney is on the shelf, however, and it's going to be tough for the defense to get after Baker Mayfield without him.

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