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Panthers' Claudin Cherelus: Placed on injured reserve
Rotowire
The Panthers placed Cherelus (shoulder) on injured reserve Saturday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Cherelus has not practiced since sustaining a shoulder injury in the Panthers' Week 2 win over the Falcons. The linebacker will now need to miss at least four games before he can return to the team's active roster from injured reserve. Tyrel Dodson will likely take Cherelus' place as a special-teamer and reserve linebacker for the Panthers' defense.
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Panthers' Claudin Cherelus: Will be sidelined for Week 3
Rotowire
Cherelus (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Cleveland.
Cherelus sustained a shoulder injury against the Falcons in Week 2. The injury prevented him from practicing during Week 3 prep, and with Devin Lloyd (calf) also not playing against Cleveland, one of rookie seventh-rounder Jackson Kuwatch and veteran Tyrel Dodson will start alongside Bobby Okereke at inside linebacker. Cherelus will aim to recover enough to play in Week 4 against the Lions on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Panthers' Claudin Cherelus: Questionable to return, shoulder issue
Rotowire
Cherelus (shoulder) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Falcons, Mike Kaye of ESPN.com reports.
Cherelus exited in the second quarter of Sunday's game after sustaining a shoulder injury without having recorded any stats. If Cherelus does not return, Isaiah Simmons could see more rotational usage for the Panthers' defense.
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Panthers' Claudin Cherelus: Won't return Sunday
Rotowire
Cherelus (shoulder) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Falcons, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Cherelus injured his shoulder in the second quarter of Sunday's game. The injury is severe enough for him to be held out the rest of the way and could impact his availability for the Panthers' Week 3 tilt against the Browns next Sunday. Isaiah Simmons could see a slight bump in defensive snaps in Cherelus' absence.
Cherelus and the Panthers agreed to terms on a contract Friday.
The 27-year-old has appeared in 27 regular-season games (six starts) for the Panthers over the last two seasons, recording 60 total tackles and one pass defensed. Following his new deal with Carolina, Cherelus is expected to operate as one of the team's top reserve inside linebackers during the 2026 season.
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Panthers' Claudin Cherelus: Tallies 32 stops in 2025
Rotowire
Cherelus posted 32 tackles (14 solo) and a pass defended across 14 regular-season games during the 2025 campaign.
Cherelus racked up a career-high 32 tackles despite missing three games due to injuries. The 26-year-old was most productive toward the end of the season after taking over as one of the Panthers' starting inside linebackers in December following Trevin Wallace's placement on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Cherelus is now set to become a free agent this offseason.
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Panthers' Claudin Cherelus: Ready for wild-card round
Rotowire
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.
Cherelus (calf/ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's matchup against the Buccaneers.
The 26-year-old from Alcorn State sustained ankle and calf injuries during the Week 17 loss to the Seahawks and didn't practice throughout the week, so it's no surprise that he'll be sidelined Saturday. Cherelus had been filling in for the injured Trevin Wallace (IR, shoulder) in Carolina's linebacker corps, recording 32 total tackles and one pass defensed over 14 appearances this season. While Cherelus is out in Week 18, expect Bam Martin-Scott to start alongside Christian Rozeboom.
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Panthers' Claudin Cherelus: Still not practicing
Rotowire
Cherelus (calf/ankle) did not participate in Wednesday's walthrough.
Cherelus still has a walking boot on his left foot Wednesday, per Joe Person of The Athletic. Though he'll have one more chance to take the practice field Thursday, he seems an unlikely candidate to be cleared in time for Sunday's road matchup against the Buccaneers. Bam Martin-Scott will handle an expanded role on defense Week 18 if Cherelus is unable to play.
Cherelus (calf) did not participate in Tuesday's walk-through practice, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Kaye observed that Cherelus was present in the facility for Tuesday's session but was only seen watching in a walking boot. The linebacker's presence around preparations for Saturday's divisional game with the Buccaneers should be a positive sign for his availability, but he will need to get on the field in one of the next two practices if he hopes to dodge an injury designation and suit up for Week 18.
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Panthers' Claudin Cherelus: Questionable to return Sunday
Rotowire
Cherelus is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Seahawks due to a calf injury, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Cherelus appeared to sustain the injury late in the second quarter, and he's being evaluated by medical staff to determine whether he can return to Sunday's game. Bam Martin-Scott will see more snaps on defense for as long as Cherelus is out of the game.
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Panthers' Claudin Cherelus: Set for Week 16 start
Rotowire
Cherelus will start Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Cherelus will make a spot start at inside linebacker in Trevin Wallace's (shoulder) absence. In 12 appearances (two starts) this season, Cherelus has 24 tackles (eight solo).
Cherelus (concussion) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Saints.
Cherelus suffered a concussion in Week 12 against the 49ers that caused him to miss Week 13. The 26-year-old opened the week as a limited participant after having a chance to rest over the Panthers' bye week. The third-year pro was on track to return after two straight full practices and has now officially cleared the NFL's concussion protocol. Cherelus will continue to handle rotational duties at interior linebacker in his return.
Panthers' Claudin Cherelus: Still in protocol, practices fully
Rotowire
Cherelus (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Head coach Dave Canales has stated that Cherelus is on track to suit up for Sunday's road matchup against the Saints, but he still needs to fully clear the NFL's concussion protocol. Once he's been cleared by an independent neurologist, Cherelus will resume handling a rotational role at interior linebacker for the Panthers.
