ATLANTA — The Panthers will be without a couple of starters on defense Sunday against the Falcons.
Outside linebacker Patrick Jones II, who was questionable with a back injury, was among the inactives for Week 2.
Jones was listed as questionable on the injury report, and practiced all week on a limited basis. But head coach Dave Canales said they'd take the decision up to Sunday, and that their priority would be a player's long-term health. Jones missed most of last season after having back surgery, but this is a different issue.
Also inactive is defensive tackle Bobby Brown III, who was held out of practice all week with a back issue of his own.
With those absences, Cam Jackson will be active this week, and the rotation of Trevis Gipson, Princely Umanmielen, and Thomas Incoom will continue to work in Jones' spot.
The rest of the inactive list includes tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, emergency third quarterback Haynes King, cornerback Chau Smith-Wade, linebacker Tyrel Dodson, and rookie tackle Albert Reese.
With Smith-Wade down, rookie safety Zakee Wheatley will get his first appearance, and Dodson not being activated yet (he was signed to the active roster Monday) means Claudin Cherelus and Jackson Kuwatch keep their backup/special teams spots.
The team elevated outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon and safety Isaiah Simmons from the practice squad again this week for added depth.
PANTHERS INACTIVES
TE Ja'Tavion Sanders
QB Haynes King (emergency third)
CB Chau Smith-Wade
LB Tyrel Dodson
OT Albert Reese
OLB Pat Jones
DT Bobby Brown
FALCONS INACTIVES
QB Tua Tagovailoa
QB Michael Penix Jr.
CB Billy Bowman
CB Malcom Dewalt IV
OT Ethan Onianwa
See photos of the Panthers' best fits as they travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons for Week 2, courtesy of American Airlines.
long snapper JJ Jansen is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
running back Jonathon Brooks is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
defensive tackle Lee Hunter is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
outside linebacker Bobby Okereke is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
outside linebacker Bobby Okereke is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
Outside linebacker Trevis Gipson is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
tackle Albert Reese IV is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
wide receiver Jalen Coker is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
wide receiver Xavier Legette is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
tackle Luke Fortner and EJ Williams are seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
outside linebacker Princely Umanmielen is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
Kevin Peterson is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
cornerback Chau Smith-Wade is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
linebacker Claudin Cherelus is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
quarterback Haynes King is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
running back AJ Dillon is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
running back Anthony Tyus III is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
quarterback Bryce Young is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
outside linebacker Thomas Incoom is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
safety Zakee Wheatley is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
wide receiver John Metchie III is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
safety Tre'von Moehrig is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
cornerback Akayleb Evans is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
punter Sam Martin is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
cornerback Corey Thornton and cornerback Jaycee Horn are seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
tackle Monroe Freeling is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
safety Nick Scott is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
running back Chuba Hubbard is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
guard Robert Hunt is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and defensive tackle Cam Jackson are seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
Cornerback Will Lee III is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
tackle Stone Forsythe is seen during departures from Charlotte, NC Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.
