Brown recorded five total tackles (four solo) during Saturday's 34-31 wild-card round loss to the Rams.
After missing 16 games last season due to a knee injury, Brown returned as one of the NFL's top interior defensive linemen in 2025. He played all 17 regular-season games and recorded 73 total tackles, the second-most among interior defensive linemen, while facing double teams on 64.4 percent of his snaps. Additionally, the Auburn product tallied seven passes defensed, 5.0 sacks and one forced fumble while logging 808 defensive snaps during the regular season. Under contract through the 2028 season, Brown is expected to remain one of the NFL's top defenders in 2026.
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Panthers' Mike Jackson: Takes another step in 2025
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Jackson tallied 68 total tackles (54 solo), 19 passes defensed, including four interceptions, and one forced fumble across 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Jackson was incredible during the Panthers' wild-card loss to the Rams on Saturday, recording four passes defensed, including an interception that helped set up a Carolina touchdown in the third quarter. The Miami product has been one of the NFL's top corners since joining the Panthers in 2024, recording 144 total tackles and 36 passes defensed (most in the NFL), including six interceptions, over 34 regular-season games. Having signed a two-year, $10.5 million extension with Carolina last offseason, Jackson is expected to start opposite Jaycee Horn to form one of the league's premier outside cornerback duos ahead of the 2026 season.
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Panthers' Jaycee Horn: Another stellar season
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Horn (head) recorded 37 total tackles (26 solo) and eight passes defensed, including five interceptions, across 16 regular-season games in 2025.
Horn was off to an impressive start in his playoff debut before exiting Saturday's wild-card loss to the Rams with a head injury, finishing with two total tackles and one pass defensed. The former first-round pick from South Carolina proved to be one of the NFL's premier outside cornerbacks in 2025, allowing just a 72.3 passer rating when targeted while tying for the second-most interceptions in the league. Having signed a four-year, $100 million extension last offseason, Horn is expected to remain one of the Panthers' top outside cornerbacks heading into the 2026 season.
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Panthers' Tershawn Wharton: Aggravates hamstring
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Wharton was ruled out of Saturday's wild-card game against the Rams due to a hamstring injury, Kassidy Hill of the Panthers' official site reports.
Wharton missed Week 18 with a hamstring injury but was removed from the injury report Tuesday. He seemingly aggravated the issue Saturday and was forced to exit after logging two tackles.
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Panthers' Jaycee Horn: Being evaluated for concussion
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Horn is being evaluated for a possible concussion and is questionable to return to Saturday's game against the Rams, Kassidy Hill of the Panthers' official site reports.
Horn had played most of the game but missed a pivotal possession late in the fourth quarter, during which the Rams took the lead. He recorded four tackles (two solo) and one pass defensed prior to his exit.
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Panthers' Robert Rochell: Ready to face Rams
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Rochell (concussion) does not carry an injury designation for Saturday's wild-card matchup against Los Angeles.
Rochell has fully cleared the concussion protocol and is on track to handle his usual role on special teams during Saturday's playoff opener. Across six regular-season appearances, Rochell did not handle a single defensive snap.
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Panthers' Robert Rochell: Upgrades to full practice Wednesday
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Rochell (concussion) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Rochell was unable to play in the Panthers' Week 18 loss to the Buccaneers after entering the league's concussion protocol against the Seahawks in Week 17. He appears to be progressing in his recovery given his ability to practice in full Wednesday, but he would need to clear concussion protocol in order to be available for Saturday's NFC wild-card game against the Rams. Rochell played exclusively on special teams across six regular-season games between the Panthers and Cowboys and finished with five tackles (two solo).
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Panthers' Bobby Brown: Logs full practice Wednesday
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Brown (concussion) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice
Brown entered the league's concussion protocol during the Panthers' Week 18 loss to the Buccaneers. His ability to practice in full is a good sign that he is progressing in his recovery, but Brown would not be allowed to play in Saturday's wild-card game against the Rams unless an independent neurologist were to clear him from the league's protocol. Thursday's injury report should provide clarity on Brown's chances of playing in the opening round of the NFC playoffs.
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Panthers' Robert Rochell: Listed as limited Tuesday
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Rochell (concussion) was listed as a limited participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Rochell wasn't able to practice in any capacity prior to being ruled out for Week 18, so his limited listing represents a step in the right direction. In order to be eligible for Saturday's wild-card round against the Rams, however, Rochell will need to fully clear the NFL's concussion protocol.
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Panthers' Bobby Brown: Limited in practice
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Brown (concussion) was listed as a limited participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Brown continues to work his way through the five-step concussion protocol. He'll need to resume practicing without restrictions and gain full medical clearance, including from an independent neurologist, in order to be eligible to suit up for Sunday's wild-card round matchup against the Rams.
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Panthers' Tershawn Wharton: Ready to face Rams
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Wharton (hamstring) was a full participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Wharton missed Carolina's final four regular-season games, but he was initially listed as questionable to play Week 18. Now, the veteran defensive tackle looks fully on track for Saturday's wild-card round game against Los Angeles.
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Panthers' Claudin Cherelus: Ready for wild-card round
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Cherelus (calf/ankle) was a full participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Cherelus was unable to play Week 18, but he appears fully on track for Saturday's wild-card round matchup against the Rams. Across 14 regular-season appearances in 2025, Cherelus tallied a career-high 32 tackles (14 solo) and one pass defensed.
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Panthers' Nic Scourton: Productive rookie campaign
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Scourton recorded 47 total tackles (20 solo), including 5.0 sacks, one pass defensed and one forced fumble across 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Scourton, a 2025 second-round pick from Texas A&M, emerged as Carolina's most productive pass rusher during his rookie campaign. He led the team in pressures (34), tied for the team lead in sacks (5.0) and ranked second on the defense in tackles for loss (seven). Among rookie edge rushers, Scourton led the group with 47 total tackles while finishing with the third-most sacks as well. He was a major reason for the Panthers' defensive improvements this season and is expected to remain the team's top edge rusher following the 2025 playoff run.
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Panthers' A'Shawn Robinson: Production dips in 2025
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Robinson tallied 65 total tackles (21 solo), including 2.5 sacks, and three passes defensed across 17 regular-season games in 2025.
In the second season of a three-year, $22.5 million contract, the 30-year-old from Alabama remained one of Carolina's top interior defensive linemen, starting 16 of the 17 regular-season games in which he appeared. However, Robinson saw declines in several statistical categories compared to 2024, finishing with fewer total tackles (80 to 65), sacks (5.5 to 3.5) and forced fumbles (one to zero). Those dips are partially attributable to the return of Derrick Brown, and the additions of Bobby Brown (concussion) and Tershawn Wharton (hamstring) in free agency, as Robinson played 58 fewer snaps this season. He's expected to remain a crucial part of the Panthers' defensive line following the team's 2025 playoff run.
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Panthers' Tre'von Moehrig: Impactful first year in Carolina
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Moehrig recorded 103 total tackles (65 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and two passes defensed, including one interception, over 16 regular-season games in 2025.
Moehrig signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Panthers in March and lived up to his contract in his first season with the team. The TCU product started all 16 regular-season games in which he appeared in and tallied a career-high 14 tackles for loss, the most TFLs by a defensive back in a single season in NFL history. His versatility played a key role in the Panthers' defensive success, as he logged 442 snaps in the box, 310 in the slot, 143 at free safety and 94 on the defensive line. Moehrig remains under contract through 2027 and is expected to remain one of Carolina's top defensive playmakers for years to come.
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Panthers' Nick Scott: Career year in 2025
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Scott recorded 111 total tackles (64 solo) and three passes defensed, including one interception, across 17 regular-season games in 2025.
The veteran safety was an integral part of the Panthers' defensive success this season, tallying a career-high 111 stops, the second-most on the team. Scott also played a career-high 1,035 defensive snaps while starting all 17 of Carolina's regular-season contests. He signed a one-year deal to remain with the Panthers last offseason and will likely receive a significant pay increase wherever he lands following Carolina's 2025 playoff run.
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Panthers' Christian Rozeboom: Solid season in Carolina
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Rozeboom tallied 122 total tackles (59 solo), including 2.0 sacks, three passes defensed, including one interception, and one forced fumble across 15 regular-season in 2025.
The South Dakota State product recorded triple-digit stops for the second consecutive season while leading Carolina in total tackles. Rozeboom also set new career highs in sacks (2.0) and forced fumbles (one), starting all 15 regular-season games he appeared in for the Panthers. The 28-year-old signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with Carolina last offseason and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent following the team's playoff campaign. Given his production, Rozeboom should draw interest from teams in need of inside linebacker help this offseason.
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Demani Richardson: Cut by Carolina
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The Panthers waived Richardson on Tuesday.
Carolina made a series of roster moves Tuesday ahead of Saturday afternoon's wild-card matchup with the Rams. Richardson appeared in 13 games for the Panthers during the regular season, making one start, and logged seven tackles (three solo) and one fumble recovery.
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Panthers' Derrick Brown: Career-high 13 stops in Week 18
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Brown finished Saturday's 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers with 13 tackles (five solo).
Not only were Brown's 13 stops a career high, they were also the most among defensive linemen in a single game this season, per Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer. The sixth-year pro will end the 2025 regular season with 73 tackles (33 solo), including a career-high 5.0 sacks, seven pass defenses and one forced fumble across 17 games. It was an impressive bounce-back season for Brown, who missed all but one regular-season game in 2024 after suffering a meniscus injury in his knee in September of 2024. The Panthers' loss Saturday means they are relying on a Falcons win over the Saints on Sunday to clinch the NFC South division title and the No. 4 seed in the conference playoffs.
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Panthers' Bobby Brown: Ruled out with concussion
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Brown (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Saturday's game against the Buccaneers, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.
Brown exited the game in the second quarter after suffering a head injury, which has been confirmed to be a concussion. The defensive end will now enter the league's five-step concussion protocol. If the Panthers can secure a playoff birth by the end of Week 18, Brown will need to upgrade his practice participation and clear the league's protocol in the hope of playing in the team's wild-card matchup.
