NFL Player News

Dalton (thumb) did not practice Wednesday.

Dalton missed Wednesday's practice due to a right thumb injury, while Bryce Young (ankle) returned to action as a full participant. Due to a right high-ankle sprain suffered Week 7, Young was unable to play Week 8 versus Buffalo, resulting in Dalton drawing a spot start. Dalton struggled notably versus Buffalo, throwing for just 175 passing yards with no touchdowns and one interception in the ugly 40-9 loss. The veteran backup's status now looks uncertain for Sunday's game against the Packers, though Young appears to have progressed enough in his recovery to reclaim his starting role. Hendon Hooker will stand to come off the practice squad as the No. 2 option behind Young if Dalton is unable to go Week 9.

Scourton recorded five total tackles (two solo), including 0.5 sacks, during Sunday's 40-9 loss to the Bills.

The 2025 second-round pick from Texas A&M continues to impress while filling in for the injured Patrick Jones (back). Across the Panthers' last two games, Scourton has logged seven pressures and 2.0 sacks, emerging as one of the team's top edge rushers. He's expected to continue starting opposite D.J. Wonnum in the Week 9 matchup against the Packers.

Young (ankle) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Young missed Week 8 as the result of a high right-ankle sprain sustained during Carolina's win over the Jets in Week 7, but it looks like he's already recovered enough to return to the starting lineup for Sunday's road matchup against the Panthers. That would represent an extremely quick return to action considering the severity of Young's injury, so the team could continue to monitor his reps closely at practice Thursday and Friday. Barring any setbacks, though, Young looks set to relieve veteran backup Andy Dalton (thumb), who did not practice Wednesday, after just a one-game absence.

Thomas wore a harness on his injured right shoulder during Wednesday's practice, Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Thomas said he's "getting better and better, day by day," though his shoulder apparently remains an issue after a Week 8 bye, potentially impacting his efficacy if not his availability. He played into the fourth quarter during a Week 7 loss to the Rams, but he was visibly in pain on multiple occasions and finished with season lows for snap share (66 percent) and route share (69 percent). The Jaguars play at Las Vegas this Sunday, facing a Raiders defense that's given up the fifth-most PPR points per game (38.3) to wide receivers

Horn tallied three total tackles (two solo) in Sunday's 40-9 loss to the Bills.

Horn played a season-low 87 percent of Carolina's defensive snaps in Week 8, but that's likely due to the second-half blowout. The South Carolina product has tallied 13 total tackles and three interceptions (tied for third-most in the NFL) across the Panthers' first eight games this season. He's expected to have his hands full in the Week 9 matchup against the Packers, as Jordan Love just threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns against the Steelers in a Week 8 win.

Robinson recorded three total tackles (one solo), including 0.5 sacks, in Sunday's 40-9 loss to the Bills.

Robinson has now logged at least 0.5 sacks in three of the Panthers' last four games. He's played 289 defensive snaps across eight games this season, recording 28 total tackles, including 2.5 sacks, and two passes defended. The veteran defensive lineman is expected to continue operating as Carolina's No. 1 nose tackle heading into the Week 9 matchup against the Packers.

Wallace (head) tallied seven total tackles (five solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Sunday's 40-9 loss to the Bills.

Wallace sustained a stinger and played just 71 percent of the Panthers' defensive snaps in the Week 8 loss -- his second-lowest snap share of the season. However, he was still incredibly impactful while on the field, bringing down Josh Allen in the first quarter. Wallace, a second-year pro from Kentucky, is one of the main reasons for Carolina's improved defense this season, recording 39 total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, and three passes defended over the team's first eight games. If he's healthy enough to play in the Week 9 matchup against Green Bay, he'll likely start alongside Christian Rozeboom in the Panthers' linebacker corps.

Scott tallied eight total tackles (five solo) in Sunday's 40-9 loss to the Bills.

The veteran safety from Penn State had his most productive game of the season in the Week 8 loss, finishing with the second-most tackles on Carolina's defense. Scott has now started all eight of the Panthers' games thus far, recording 41 total tackles and two passes defended. He's expected to continue starting alongside Tre'von Moehrig in Carolina's secondary heading into the Week 9 matchup against the Packers.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters Wednesday that Oliver will likely be sidelined for Sunday's matchup against the Lions due to a foot sprain, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

The 28-year-old was feared to have sustained a long-term injury in Minnesota's Week 8 loss to the Chargers, but X-rays confirmed the issue to be a foot sprain. Although Oliver is expected to miss the Week 9 contest in Detroit, he could return for the Week 10 matchup against the Ravens. While he's likely sidelined Sunday, expect Ben Yurosek to operate the Vikings' No. 2 tight end.

Johnson signed with the Patriots' practice squad Wednesday, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

The South Florida product was cut from the Cardinals' practice squad Tuesday, but he's already found a new home in New England. He made on appearance for Arizona this season, rushing once for no yards across 14 offensive snaps. With Antonio Gibson (knee), Lan Larison (foot) and Deneric Prince (Tulsa) all currently on injured reserve, Johnson could be elevated to the Patriots' active roster and play a depth role in the backfield.