Last Sunday’s effort may have helped Carolina Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig earn the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week award, but it’ll take more to impress one of his rookie teammates.
“Oh, you talking about that gimme?” wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan joked, as reported by Panthers.com, after last Sunday’s 16-13 upset victory over the Green Bay Packers.
That gimme just happened to be a momentum-turning, third-quarter interception, developing from a high-lofting downfield pass by quarterback Jordan Love. Hindered by a windy Lambeau Field, the pass withered short of the intended target and into the hands of Moehrig, who could have been mistaken as a centerfielder catching a lazy fly ball.
“When the ball’s blowing like that, it’s just, the only thing you can do is really just drop it or catch it, so like, you better catch this thing.”
He did, along with posting five tackles (two for loss) and two passes defended, becoming the first Panthers safety to earn the award since Roman Harper in Week 17 of 2014.
An offseason free-agent signee, Moehrig registered 51 tackles and one sack in nine starts this season. The Panthers (5-4) host the New Orleans Saints (1-8) on Sunday.
“I’ve always been confident in myself, and not try to put a leg on my abilities, but it was a team effort, man,” Moehrig said. “I mean, I caught the ball, but all 11 affect the play. So, big shout out to the guys.”
#Panthers S Tre’von Moehrig, left, earned the NFC defensive player of the week honor Tuesday … pic.twitter.com/XvLMLz8epw
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) November 6, 2025
RB Rico Dowdle Sits Out Carolina Panthers’ Practice
Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (quadriceps) sat out Wednesday’s practice, highlighting the week’s first injury report.
Dowdle appeared to suffer the injury against the Packers, but remained in the lineup to rush for 130 yards on 25 carries. He scored two touchdowns for the first time in his career.
Guard Chandler Zavala (elbow) also did not participate Wednesday.
Starting left guard Damien Lewis (oblique), Cade Mays (ankle/knee) and rookie outside linebacker Princely Umanmielen (ankle) returned to practice.
#Panthers’ Rico Dowdle (5) injured his quadriceps during last Sunday’s upset win over #Packers. The #NFL’s No. 3 RB did not practice Wednesday … pic.twitter.com/oY2YL1f4hO
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) November 6, 2025
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