Jalen Coker's career day might've come at a small price.
On Sunday, in the Carolina Panthers' 59-37 loss to the Chicago Bears, the third-year wide receiver reeled in eight catches for personal-best 138 yards and two touchdowns. But in a potentially worrisome development on Monday, Coker spoke with reporters from his locker while sporting a boot on his left foot.
Here's what he had to say about it . . .
Jalen Coker has a boot on his left foot. Says he rolled his ankle in the 1st quarter. Adds that the boot is “more precautionary.” pic.twitter.com/Ff5GFcZUcY
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) September 14, 2026
Coker's impressive Week 1 performance was his first regular-season outing since landing a three-year, $34 million contract extension this past June. His 138 receiving yards topped his previous
high of 134, which he amassed in Carolina's wild-card round loss to the Los Angeles Rams in January.
Although he's emerged as a key piece for the Panthers offense, Coker has stacked up a bit of an injury history since signing on as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He missed games in his first two NFL campaigns due to multiple soft-tissue injuries.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers WR Jalen Coker in boot after sustaining ankle injury in Week 1
