CHARLOTTE— Every player knows they need to "stay ready." It's a mantra, a mindset, a demand in some ways; players go down, the next man has to step up.

"I tell everyone to look at everything like you're a starter because you're a shoelace break away from being in the game," linebacker Claudin Cherelus said.

This week, Cherelus will have to tap into that mindset and all the training he has done so far. The Panthers will be adjusting in the middle of the defense this week, as Trevin Wallace is sidelined with a shoulder injury.

"Trevin will be week to week," coach Dave Canales told reporters on Wednesday, adding he will not play Sunday against the Falcons. "The shoulder aggravated, he's been dealing with some things as you've all seen, in games. Wasn't able to finish the game (Sunday)."

In his absence, Carolina will most likely turn to Cherelus.

The third-year LB has appeared in nine games this year, primarily on special teams. He has played 44 defensive snaps this season. When Wallace exited Week 10's game against the Saints, it was Cherelus who entered the game.

"He got in at the end of the game, and he really did some good stuff," Canales bragged of Cherelus. "Played some physical ball, knocking things back, made a really nice tackle inside the 5-yard line. They were moving the ball pretty good in that drive, but he's certainly flashed, and he's been doing an excellent job on special teams."

When Wallace exited, the "green dot" communication helmet was given to Christian Rozeboom, who had worn it for the first few weeks of the season.

"It's kind of a weird thing because you want to check in on Trev as he's going through it on the ground a little bit," shared Rozeboom of the hectic circumstances when such an occasion arises. "But then also they're trying to rush you your helmet and all that."

Heading into Sunday, though, the Panthers will at least be able to sort through all options during game preparation. Cherelus has worn the dot before as well, albeit for just one play.

"I wore the green dot for a play against Dallas (in 2024) when Josey (Jewell) got hurt," recalled Cherelus. "And then I went down the next play. So yeah, I got some green dot experience," he laughed.

The signal-calling will work itself out, though. The Panthers' concern right now is ensuring that whoever steps on the field Sunday can establish the cohesiveness that Rozeboom and Wallace had been playing with in recent weeks.

"I love Trev and hopefully we get him back soon, but I think Claud is going to come in there and do a great job, and I think that chemistry is there," promised Rozeboom. "The whole room has—I think we're a pretty tight-knit group, and we know each guy can do his job and excel at it and have full confidence in whoever's in there. So just excited to see."

For Cherelus, it's a chance to embrace the opportunity to showcase everything he has worked on during the offseason, and even during the week, between games.

"A lot of people would tell you being a backup in this league is probably one of the hardest things because you won't get the same amount of reps, and you've got to be ready when your name is called," Cherelus admitted. "So, you kind of got to embrace that difficulty. So, like I said, I've been ready, I've been practicing the same way, just as hard, whether or not I'm going in.

"It all depends on how you practice and how you train, your preparation really. You just got to stay tuned in on Sundays, running down on teams, be ready, be engaged, know what's going on on defense."

The Panthers also have the benefit of Krys Barnes. The veteran linebacker has spent most of this season on the practice squad, being active for only one game, but his years of experience give the club a sense of comfort during an uncertain week.

"It's so valuable to have a guy that, a guy like Krys Barnes, who has called defenses, he's been the mike (middle linebacker), the green dot in different places, and that always gives us a lot of comfort," Canales admitted. "And it's also just that room as they have conversations, they're watching film, the more heads you have, more eyes you have on things, it just really strengthens the group."

Regardless of who is on the field or sideline, ready to replace Trevin Wallace on Sunday, though, the standard and expectations remain the same: be prepared to change the game.

"This creates an opportunity for Claud, and the whole group; they all have to be ready to go," said Canales. "It's what we ask our guys, prepare like you're about to go in and have that mentality, and (linebackers coach) Pete Hansen has done a great job of preparing these guys that way."