CHARLOTTE — The Panthers have used a lot of different combinations of offensive linemen this year, but head coach Dave Canales wasn't ready to commit to another one.
Starting left guard Damien Lewis was added to the injury report Thursday with a shoulder injury, and is listed as questionable for the game, but Canales said he will travel and they'll make a determination on his status Sunday.
"We'll just take a look at him again today, this afternoon, tomorrow, and it'll be day to day, really, to make a decision whether he can help us on Sunday," Canales said. "We'd love to have D-Lew out there. We've got to do the best thing for him, best thing for the team."
Lewis is the only lineman to have started the previous six games. They've used five combinations of starters in six games and they have three linemen on injured reserve (including Pro Bowler Robert Hunt).
"It's a real compliment to the preparation of this group and guys that keep stepping in and doing the job well," Canales said. "And a tribute to the coaches to prepare the guys and be ready, and that's what it requires in this league. You've got to be focused and locked in, and sometimes guys don't get all the reps in the week, and something may happen in the week, where they have to be prepared to do that. And so it calls on that focus, a great reminder for the whole group, to just keep working as if you're going to have to play, and to have that kind of mentality is really important for us."
Canales said there's a possibility Austin Corbett could be activated, but the Panthers also have Nick Samac and Jake Curhan on the roster at the moment. Brandon Walton has used his three practice squad elevations and would need to be added to the 53-man roster to play again.
Corbett started the year at center, but won a Super Bowl ring with the Rams at right guard. He's practiced for one week as he returns from a knee injury and would need to be added to the 53-man roster before he could play.
"He's got a lot of flexibility; his first position really was playing guard, so he gives us an opportunity to be able to put him in there and play some guard, and then you also have another center on game day," Canales said.
Chuba Hubbard good to go, role TBD
Running back Chuba Hubbard has been cleared to play after missing the last two games with a calf injury. Rico Dowdle has been on a heater during that time, with 473 yards from scrimmage the last two weeks in his absence.
Canales said they have a plan for how to deploy the two of them along with rookie Trevor Etienne, but he wasn't inclined to share it.
"Just counting on both guys to execute when they're in there and it allows me to just call the next play," Canales said. "I don't have to really overthink who's in the game as far as what we want to execute in the running game, in the pass game. So, just excited about the opportunity to have both guys help us."
When pressed on his plan, Canales smiled and replied: "We'll see on Sunday."
Jalen Coker will be activated from IR
Canales did say that wide receiver Jalen Coker would be activated from IR this week, and be ready to get back in the lineup.
Coker has practiced the last two weeks after returning from a quadriceps injury the week before the regular season opener.
"He's ready to go; he had a great week, so we're looking forward to him being up on Sunday," Canales said.
The Panthers have one open roster spot as it stands, and outside linebacker Patrick Jones II is out for the year with a back injury that required surgery.
View some of the best shots of Thursday's practice as the Panthers prepare for their Week 7 matchup against the New York Jets.
