CHARLOTTE — When Krys Barnes first arrived in Charlotte during training camp, he knew he was going to have to adjust his approach to the game.

"I think there's a little bit of adjustment," Barnes admitted this week, reflecting back on his journey since first joining the Panthers.

Barnes joined a linebacker corps that already had starters set, for all intents and purposes. Josey Jewell had already stepped away from the team with health concerns by that point, but the team was set to roll with Trevin Wallace and Christian Rozeboom as starters, with Claudin Cherelus adding depth.

It meant Barnes, who has started 30 games in his career and played in 70 since first entering the league in 2020, was likely going to be more of a rotation guy. He was released in final roster cuts and added to the practice squad the next day. He's had two elevations in games this year, so far.

"I think I've been adjusting over the past couple of years, kind of ever since I left Green Bay (in 2023), have been trying to find that footing again of being a starter playing real, meaningful ball and I think this year it was more so accepting that role, whatever that looked like, whether it was special teams, whether it was practice squad coming in late to the season and whatever that value was for this team, I want to be able to make sure I maximize that value."

That value has been added in many ways, as coach Dave Canales noted last week, if for no other reason than to have someone, now in his sixth year, bring insight.

"So valuable to have a guy that, a guy like Krys Barnes, who has called defenses," Canales said. "He's been the MIKE, the green dot, in different places, and that always gives us a lot of comfort, and it's also just that room as they have conversations, they're watching film, the more heads you have, the more eyes you have on things, you know, it just really strengthens the group."

This week, Carolina could be leaning on that experience more than usual.

There are questions surrounding the group due to injuries. Canales already told reporters on Thursday that Christian Rozeboom (hip/hamstring) would be out this week against the 49ers. The team is hopeful Wallace (shoulder) can play, but as of Friday, he had not yet practiced this week. Cherelus stepped in to start for Wallace last week and finished with 10 tackles. When Rozeboom left the game with an injury, Maema Njongmeta finished for him.

"We'll work through the injuries," defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero said on Friday. "Nothing's quite established yet in terms of the injury report, but at the end of the day, if somebody has an opportunity—you saw what Claude was able to do last week.

"I think that's always what we try to preach to every player, you have to be ready and, so many guys, they don't stay as engaged as they need to when they're not playing a lot and it's a disservice to themselves and so, at any moment your name can be called and, the last thing you want to do is be unprepared."

Barnes has worked hard to stay engaged, though, not to be one of those guys who isn't ready should he have to step in more on Monday against San Francisco.

"I think the standard in the room has been pretty high between Trevon and Christian, and even Claude last week, going in there and making a hell of plays. So I'm excited for myself to come in there, kind of uphold some of that, and try to see if I can raise the bar for when they do come back, so there's no drop-off. There was nothing that was left, and they can hit the ground running when they come back," said Barnes.

"I find joy being in the building, still being able to play ball," admitted Barnes. "I was nowhere for OTA, so still be here and do this and have a chance now…I think all I can really ask for. So I'm excited for the opportunity."

And if he gets that opportunity again Monday, back in his home state, he'll bring a greater knowledge of the 49ers. Barnes spent the last two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco's divisional opponent, meaning he faced the 49ers twice a year.

"I mean, I think everybody's different. You have little things you focus on, little adjustments. I think for us, honestly, week after week, it's stopping the run," said Barnes. "You have a hell of a back in Christian McCaffrey, who can get downhill. Even Brian Robinson Jr. can get downhill. So the one-two punch between them is very, very lethal.

"So it starts there. And after that, it's just being clean and disciplined in the back end. And whatever they give us, make sure that we are good on our rules, good on our communication, and flying around nonetheless."

There is also a comfortable familiarity with Cherelus. If those two do end up finding themselves on the field together more, they'll rely on all the time they lined up next to each other going back to training camp, backing up Rozeboom and Wallace.

"Me and Krys actually had a lot of reps in training camp together, so very familiar with how he'll play certain stuff," Cherelus said this week. "And we all talk a lot in the linebacker room, so I'm pretty sure regardless of who's in the lineup, who's on the field together, we'll be good.

"I ask Krys a lot of questions. I learned a lot from him from the few months he's been here, just how he sees the game and stuff like that. He's got a lot of reps, he's played these guys (the 49ers), he's played in many different defenses, and you know he's made plays in all of them."

If Wallace is unable to go, the Panthers will also have to decide who is the green dot, calling plays. Cherelus has done it a handful of snaps before, and Barnes has been the green dot for previous teams. It will still inevitably be different, though, and safety Nick Scott—who has played in his defense for years, first with the Rams, and now the past two seasons as a starter in Carolina—knows he might have to step up communication to keep things moving.

"I will definitely have a hyper awareness of communication this week and put a little bit more on my plate, just to make sure that we're not missing anything," said Scott. "I've got all the confidence in the world in these guys that are playing this week, but I'd be remiss if I didn't say that, like, it is a different tempo when you get in that game and you catch a flow when you've got games under your belt over and over and over and over again.

"So some of these guys that snap after snap communication at that speed is going to be a little bit new. I have all the confidence in the world that they'll get it down pretty quick going into the game, but I'm definitely going to do my part to make sure I'm overcommunicating, just to make sure we're all good."

The Panthers still have another day of practice, and the long trip out west to determine who will be healthy and able to go Monday night. Should Krys Barnes end up stepping in to have a bigger role, it will be a manifestation of all he's been preparing for this season: taking a step back, finding new ways to impact a team, and biding, waiting for a chance to do it on the field once again.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity," Barnes smiled. "I think I've been ready for a while, but obviously I'm ready to do whatever the team's called for. Last week was called to do special teams. This week could be more of a defensive role, and I'm looking forward to it."