Panthers make early injury decision with star pass rusher Jaelan Phillips that adds more concerns beyond Week 7’s game
The Carolina Panthers are expected to be without pass rusher Jaelan Phillips for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Carolina Panthers have close to making a surprising early decision after one day of practice that will have a massive impact on Sunday’s divisional contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Head coach Dave Canales told reporters on Wednesday that the team is expected to be without star edge rusher Jaelan Phillips for Week 7 after missing Wednesday’s practice with a hamstring injury that he reaggravated in last week’s win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
That’s a significant loss for Carolina’s defensive line, and one that could continue to linger even behind this weekend’s game.
Carolina Panthers are going to be cautious with Jaelan Phillips’ injury
Phillips’ hamstring injury first surfaced back in Week 4 against the Detroit Lions and caused him to leave the game late in the fourth quarter. Fortunately, the Panthers had a bye the following week and hoped the time off would allow Phillips to be ready for Week 6. However, Phillips reaggravated the injury in the first quarter against the Eagles. He did, however, return in the second quarter.
“Jaelan got the same hamstring and we got to take care of that right now,” Canales told reporters. “We’re still going to push it and evaluate him, but this is something we’re going to have to be smart with. It’s been two weeks off of the first injury and he was able to finish the game which is pretty incredible for him to be able to go back out there and do that. But, the MRIs and the findings, this is something that we’re going to have to treat more intensively.”
How long it takes for Phillips to fully recover is going to be a conversation that extends beyond this week. Hamstring injuries are tricky, especially ones that linger for multiple weeks, and the last thing the Panthers want is for Phillips to suffer a more significant injury. So, taking as much time as needed to heal is the best course of action.
“He’s going to want to push it,” Canales said. “We’re going to be right there with him. We’re going to test him and we’ll get him there and make sure we get him as strong and as healthy as possible, because it’s a long season. If he’s able to turn it around and show up on Thursday night (in Week 8), great. For me and for Dan (Morgan), is our job to think about this game and then we think about what’s the full window look like.”
As for where the Panthers go from here without Phillips looking ahead to Sunday’s game, the Panthers will turn to Pat Jones II as the veteran presence along with Princely Umanmielen. It’s also worth noting that Thomas Incoom also did not practice on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury that is considered week-to-week.
With the limited bodies at the position, Canales confirmed the team will give Nick Hampton a look on Sunday off the practice squad.
