Panthers face Packers with injured line and shaky run defense
Carolina enters Thursday Night Football at Lambeau Field ranked last against the run, with key offensive linemen sidelined after a 30-point loss to Tampa Bay.
By Henry Wilson ·
The Carolina Panthers arrive in Green Bay with a defense that has allowed the most rushing yards per game in the NFL this season. Carolina gives up 153.2 rushing yards per game, a figure 7.5 yards higher than the No. 31 Dallas Cowboys. The team plays the Green Bay Packers on Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
The Panthers dropped their last home game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by 30 points. That defeat exposed weaknesses in both the run defense and the offensive line. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s unit has given up at least 200 rushing yards six times since the start of the 2024 season, more than any other defense in the league.
Head coach Dave Canales acknowledged the team needs to improve its execution on the ground. He noted that the defense must be prepared for specific concepts. The Panthers are 3-3 and currently lead the NFC South, but their record against the spread is 8-3 following losses dating back to 2025.
Injuries have thinned the offensive line. Right tackle Taylor Moton suffered a fractured fibula against Tampa Bay and will undergo season-ending ankle surgery. Rookie Monroe Freeling, a first-round pick, will move to right tackle. He has allowed 18 pressures in five games. Left tackle Rasheed Walker, a free agent signing, has allowed a team-leading 34 pressures this season.
Quarterback Bryce Young remains a strong asset despite a recent rough game. He holds the franchise record for passing touchdowns through the first five games with 11. The Panthers rank second in the league in passing yards per game with 276.0. Running back Chuba Hubbard has rushed for 571 total yards and six touchdowns in six games.
The Packers present a different challenge than the Buccaneers. Green Bay boasts the No. 5 passing offense but a league-worst rushing attack. The Panthers have covered 12 consecutive games after a loss, one short of the longest streak in the Super Bowl era. The Packers have covered four straight games, the longest active cover streak in the NFL.
Key injuries include outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips and cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, who are all on injured reserve. Center Torricelli Simpkins III is out with a left ankle injury. The Panthers will rely on their passing attack to neutralize the Packers’ defense, which allows 208.0 passing yards per game.
Source: ESPN
