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
For once, the Panthers got some good news on the injury front heading into their Week 10 showdown against the New Orleans Saints.
Offensive lineman Brady Christensen nearly returned from injury last week, but was held out to ensure he was fully ready to go. Hopefully this is the week the versatile player can help plug one of the many,
many holes on the Panthers offensive line. He’s currently listed as questionable for Sunday.
Speaking of the Panthers offensive line, guard Damien Lewis was a full participant in practice on both Wednesday and Friday, though he was limited on Thursday. The incumbent starter has missed the Panthers last two games. He looks good to go Sunday.
The Panthers have three additional questionable players this week in outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, cornerback Will Lee, and wide receiver Xavier Legette. Carolina could definitely use all three of them, at least situationally.
Both cornerback Mike Jackson and running back Jonathon Brooks are doubtful, while linebacker Bobby Okereke is out.
Transactions
Signed LB Claudin Cherelus to the practice squad
The Panthers have brought back linebacker Claudin Cherelus to the practice squad after waiving him back in September with an injury designation. This is Cherelus’s fourth season in Carolina after beginning his NFL career with the Panthers as an undrafted free agent back in 2023. He has appeared in 35 games for the Panthers with six starts, registering 61 tackles.
Released WR David Moore then signed to the practice squad
Since joining the Carolina Panthers in 2024, wide receiver David Moore has been a fixture on the roster more for his veteran stability than his actual on-field productivity. This past week the Panthers waived him then re-signed him to the practice squad, just in case the wide receiver room suffers any more injuries. This year Moore has appeared in six games with one reception 27 yards. He has also returned four punts and eight kickoffs this year.
Signed DT Cam Horsley to the practice squad
Cam Horsley joined the Tennessee Titans last year as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Boston College. To his credit, he made the 53-man roster and appeared in one game, playing 14 defensive snaps without recording any stats. Horsley is a diamond in the rough the Panthers will look to polish to provide some additional depth along the defensive interior.
Placed WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette on practice squad-injured
Ihmir Smith-Marsette is a bit of a blast from the past for Panthers fans. He joined the Panthers in 2023, which was his third NFL season at the time. He saw the field, too, appearing in all 17 games that year as Carolina’s primary punt returner who also had 11 kick returns. Back in 2023 he also contributed eight receptions for 51 yards and eight carries for 74 more yards. He left Carolina for the New York Jets in 2024, then didn’t appear in any games in 2025. The Panthers added him to the practice squad back in September 2026, and now he has an injury designation.
