The Carolina Panthers front office is busy throughout the season with transactions, roster moves, and injury updates. Here’s what’s happening at Mint Street this week.
Injuries
The 8-7 Panthers are potentially playing for their postseason lives this week against the 12-3 Seattle Seahawks. Former Carolina quarterback Sam Darnold returns to Charlotte for a potential revenge game as the Panthers look for a massive upset win.
Injuries could play a big part on the defensive side of the ball in this one with linebacker
Trevin Wallace and defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton both ruled out for Sunday. In a major blow for Carolina, Wallace will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
On the offensive side of the ball, starting guard Robert Hunt is questionable and the Panthers really need him to suit up for this one, provided he’s healthy. Veteran reserve wide receiver David Moore is also questionable for Sunday.
Transactions
Here’s an interesting tidbit from the Panthers website: Carolina has had five players signed off of their practice squad to other teams’ rosters this season, which is tied for the most in the league this season. Teams can sign players off other teams’ practice squads provided they sign them to the active roster and all of the financial implications that come with it. So it looks like Carolina’s front office is at least signing guys who aren’t good enough to make the Panthers 53-man roster, but they’re good enough to play elsewhere? That’s an interesting situation for a team with an 8-7 record and lacks depth in a lot of areas, but here we are.
Here’s the summary of key moves on the transaction front from Christmas week:
Cornerback Kalen King signed off the practice squad by the Arizona Cardinals
As noted above, other teams seemingly enjoy signing players off the Panthers practice squad. Kalen King was a 2024 seventh round pick by the Green Bay Packers but was released after not appearing in any games during last year’s rookie season. He was signed in August by the Panthers, landed on the practice squad, then was elevated to the 53-man roster in Week 13 and played seven special teams snaps. He landed back on the Panthers practice squad and the Cardinals just swooped in and plucked him up.
Signed cornerback Michael Reid to the practice squad
With King’s departure, the Panthers are bringing undrafted rookie cornerback Michael Reid back to Charlotte. Reid originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Panthers back in May of 2025, made the practice squad, got released in late October, and has now been re-signed. The former South Dakota star hasn’t appeared in any games this season.
