CHARLOTTE — It's rare, in the midst of an NFL season and while healthy, to be away from the field for two straight weeks. But that's the situation Tre'von Moehrig found himself in recently, serving a suspension passed down from the NFL that meant he couldn't be back in the building until December 1, the day that kicked off the Panthers' bye week.

"It was hard, being away from the team, being away from my teammates and coaches," shared Moehrig on Monday, his first day officially back at practice and in team meetings, as Carolina returned from their off week.

He found ways to stay involved as much as he could, working out on his own and talking with teammates outside of football. He watched his team beat the Rams from "The only place I could watch it was at the crib"—and he celebrated even on his own when the Panthers pulled off the upset.

"It was awesome to see them guys handle business, you know what I'm saying. It was really fun to see, especially some of the young guys go out there and get their opportunities.

"Man, I was hype (for Lathan Ransom's sack). I could see it all as the play was happening. I was like, Oh, there you go. I could see it all the way. So I was happy for him to get his first sack. He had a great game, and I'm just excited. Sky's the limit for him."

But he was itching to get back. The suspension, which rolled right into the bye week, put him in flux, though.

"I feel like that week, I was able to recoup, get back a little bit healthy," shared Moehrig. "So, it's kind of good, but at the same time, I miss being here."

The starting safety was serving a one week suspension following an NFL verdict that stated by issuing a punch against San Francisco wide receiver Jauan Jennings in the fourth-quarter of the Week 12 game, Moehrig had violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to "any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship, "including, among others, "throwing a punch, or a forearm, or kicking at an opponent."

Moehrig appealed the suspension, but it was upheld. He seemingly received some support when Cleveland Browns defensive player Shelby Harris said the following week that Jennings made comments during the 49ers-Browns game that led Harris to see why Moehrig had reacted the way he did.

Moehrig was asked if Harris's comments gave him any sort of validation, but he brushed the notion aside, saying only, "I don't really have a comment on that."

Instead, he wants only to look ahead. On Monday, Moehrig was back on the practice field, leading drills, greeting general manager Dan Morgan, and making plays. He's a leader on a team making a playoff push and is currently tied for the top of the division. It makes the next few weeks exciting for fans. But Moehrig is determined to keep his group singularly focused.

"I feel like if you just, if you ride that roller coaster, your mind, the mental aspect of everything, you can get everywhere with it," warned Moehrig. "So like I said before, you just got to keep your head down, do what you've been doing this whole season. That's all we know how to do is just work, and everything will take care of itself."

Even after sitting out a game, Moehrig is still the Panthers' second-leading tackler with 81 tackles, and he leads the team in tackles for loss with 10 total. His return for a crucial stretch is key. Knowing that he will be asked to take control of games, Moehrig tried to use his time off to prepare mentally as much as physically.

"Then just probably, just mentally, getting my mental right, not that it was off or anything, but just taking a step back and being able to process things that I wouldn't be able to as much being in the season or being in the building as much," Moehrig said.

The safety has made a case as one of the best in the league so far this season. He's currently in the Top 10 of vote-getters among safeties for the Pro Bowl. And he's tied for 15th overall in the league in tackles for loss, and leads all safeties in that category. But with everything in front of the Panthers, his only focus this week is being back on the field with his team.

It's been too long.

"It's special, man. It's not just about me. I think it obviously takes all 11 on the field at one time. But it is special to be a part of. I do feel like this is home, and it feels good to be a part of this defense. So it's been fun."