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 Panthers postseason lives come
down to Week 18’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s this easy for Carolina: Win and you’re in!
Injuries always play a role in determining the outcomes of games, and this week the Panthers have a couple of noteworthy players already ruled out for Saturday’s game.
On the offensive side of the ball the Panthers will continue to be without guard Robert Hunt. The 2024 Pro Bowler has only played in two games this season due to a biceps tear. He was recently designated to return to practice, and according to Carolina’s team website he was a full participant in practice Tuesday and Wednesday and a limited participant on Thursday. The veteran still isn’t quite ready to return though. Wide receiver David Moore is also out this week.
Defensively, the biggest news is linebacker Claudin Cherelus being ruled out for Saturday’s game. He has started four of 14 games this year with 32 tackles. Cornerback Robert Rochell is also out but he has only played a limited role in four games this season. Starting defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton is questionable, and the Panthers really need him in this one. In nine games this year he has racked up 36 tackles and two sacks, so even if he can only play limited snaps against the Bucs, he could still impact the game.
Transactions
This week the Panthers made three roster moves with one of them placing tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders being placed on injured reserve.
Signed tight end Ross Dwelley to the practice squad
Carolina signed tight end Ross Dwelley to the practice squad to bolster the position a bit in Sanders’ absence. Dwelley is an eight-year NFL veteran who has appeared in 112 career games. He spent his first six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, then 2024 with the Atlanta Falcons, and 11 games this year with the Detroit Lions before being waived in December. He has 47 career receptions for 520 yards and five touchdowns.
Claimed safety D’Anthony Bell off waivers
Bell spent 2022 through 2024 with the Cleveland Browns after joining the team as an undrafted free agent. He then signed with the Seattle Seahawks for the 2025 season and appeared in 14 games with two starts for the Seahawks this year before getting waived on December 30th. Over his four NFL seasons he has appeared in 64 games with nine starts, 76 tackles, four passes defended, and two interceptions.
