The Carolina Panthers will be without one of their top edge rushers when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Jaelan Phillips has officially been ruled out of the Week 7 matchup with a hamstring injury, according to the Panthers' final injury report
. Phillips did not practice Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, and head coach Dave Canales said earlier in the week the team was preparing to play without him.Phillips has appeared in five games this season, recording 10 tackles and 2.5 sacks. His absence leaves Carolina without an experienced edge rusher as the Buccaneers' offensive line has struggled to protect its quarterbacks.
The Panthers will also be without edge rusher Thomas Incoom, who was ruled out with a calf injury after missing all
three practices.
Who will replace Jaelan Phillips?
According to Carolina's official depth chart, Princely Umanmielen is listed behind Phillips and is expected to take on a larger role Sunday. Patrick Jones II and Trevis Gipson also feature in the Panthers' edge-rushing rotation.
Canales also mentioned practice-squad edge rusher Nick Hampton as a potential option for additional depth, though his availability would depend on a roster elevation.
The injuries could benefit Tampa Bay, which ranks 30th in sacks allowed per pass attempt at 11.34%, according to the Buccaneers' Week 7 preview.
Baker Mayfield is expected to return after missing three games with a dislocated right thumb, but the Buccaneers will miss starting right tackle Luke Goedeke with a calf injury. Even with Phillips sidelined, protecting Mayfield remains a priority for an offense that allowed five sacks against Pittsburgh last week.
Carolina's defensive injuries could also create opportunities for Bucky Irving. The Panthers allow 132.2 rushing yards per game, while Tampa Bay averages 127.8 yards on the ground. Establishing the run would help the Buccaneers avoid obvious passing situations and limit pressure on their returning quarterback.
Carolina Panthers' final Week 7 injury report
Phillips and Incoom are the only Panthers ruled out for Sunday. Rookie tackle Monroe Freeling and linebacker Bam Martin-Scott are questionable despite practicing fully throughout the week. Martin-Scott is still in his designated-to-return practice window and must be activated before he can play.
Quarterback Bryce Young, running backs Chuba Hubbard and A.J. Dillon, tackle Taylor Moton, linebacker Devin Lloyd and tight end Darren Waller have no game-status designation.
Carolina enters Sunday's matchup at 3-2, with its depleted edge-rushing group facing a Buccaneers offense looking to improve with Mayfield's expected return.
Carolina Panthers Week 7 injury report
DNP: Did not practice | FP: Full participation | —: No game designation
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Will Jaelan Phillips play against the Buccaneers in Week 7?
