The Carolina Panthers are getting healthy in time to make a push for the NFC South pennant.
All 53 players on the acive roster participated in Wednesday’s practice, including three potential starters, cornerback Jaycee Horn (concussion), center Cade Mays (ankle) and inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom (hip/hamstring).
Rookie safety Lathan Ransom (thumb) also was listed as a full participant Wednesday. Special teams ace Claudin Cherelus practiced, but remains in concussion protocol.
Panthers coach Dave Canales could have a full line for Sunday’s divisional matchup at the New Orleans Saints (3-10).
The Panthers (7-6), who have not qualified for the postseason since 2017, remained tied for first place with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who face the Atlanta Falcons (4-9) on Thursday night.
“We’ve had some bumps and bruises along the way, some longer-term injuries that affect that part of it,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said, per Panthers.com. “But we had to modify, we had to make adjustments, every day going into practice. What’s the group that we have available if we scale this back? Who can we get out there to get those reps?”
#Panthers CB1 Jaycee Horn (concussion) looked fluid while practicing in the rain Monday … #NFL pic.twitter.com/N84KbFAKHW
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) December 8, 2025
Carolina Panthers Fielding New, Familiar OL
Aided by the Week 14 bye week, the Panthers may be getting healthier, but their offensive line keeps changing. Even though this time, it’s returning to a familiar unit. In their opening 13 games this season, the Panthers employed 10 different offensive line combinations.
Mays, who missed two starts, will get the start at center. Austin Corbett moves to right guard, next to right tackle Taylor Moton. Left guard Damien Lewis and left tackle Ikem Ekwonu round out the top unit.
“I feel really confident about those guys going out there,” Canales said.
The Panthers, who dropped a 17-7 decision to the Saints in Week 10, have outscored their opponents 88-56 during the fourth quarters and overtimes.
“I understand how important every single game is as you get to this point in the season, and so you really can’t look past any game,” Canales said. “Every game is a championship opportunity, just like the one we have in front of us. And we have to maintain that heightened focus and awareness of how important they are.”
Coach Dave Canales said Monday he was “emotionally involved” watching #Saints upset #Buccaneers Sunday, lifting #Panthers into a first place tie in the NFC South. Have the Panthers learned their lessons from their Week 9 loss to New Orleans (3-10)? … pic.twitter.com/AymNQeHq50
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) December 9, 2025
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