He may have notched a game-high 13 tackles in Week 1, but Carolina Panthers linebacker Devin Lloyd had a quiet opener to start his 2026 campaign. (That's what often happens when your defense allows a franchise record in points.)
But Lloyd was awfully loud this past Sunday, in the team's 34-3 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
For his efforts, Lloyd has made The Athletic's list of the top bounce-back performers of Week 2. Daniel Popper writes:
Lloyd, who signed with the Panthers for $15 million per year in free agency, had an ugly debut in a Week 1 loss to the Chicago Bears. He was tremendous in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons. Lloyd had a tipped pass that led to a Bobby Okereke interception. He also had two interceptions, including a pick six. He also had a sack
and a tackle for loss in the run game. This is the type of player he was for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025. That’s why he got paid this offseason.
Lloyd did everything you could ask of a defender at any level of the game. He flashed as a pass rusher, bringing down Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush for a sack. He dominated against the run, racking up nine tackles (seven solo, two for a loss) against a strong Atlanta rushing attack, and shined in coverage, posting two interceptions—including a pick-six.
On Wednesday, Lloyd was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 2. This marked his second Defensive Player of the Week nod of his career, with his first coming in the AFC for Jacksonville last season.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers defender among top bounce-back performers of Week 2
