The Carolina Panthers are running a little lean up front on defense after the foot injury that forced veteran nose tackle Shy Tuttle to stay home this week. Tuttle leads the list of six inactive players for the Panthers today. Also inactive are cornerbacks Shemar Bartholomew and Tariq Castro-Fields, offensive linemen Andrew Raym and Jarrett Kingston, and tight end Messiah Swinson.
The Panthers activated practice squad defensive end DeShawn Williams on Saturday (standard elevation for Week 3) to give them some depth up front with Tuttle not making the trip. After the season-ending knee injury to Derrick Brown in the opener, the Panthers are operating with veteran A'Shawn Robinson, along with Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray, Jayden Peevy, and Williams.
When it rains it pours. And somehow it's been pouring on the Carolina Panthers football team for almost eight straight years now. Already 0-2 and easily the worst team in the NFL, Carolina will be missing another starter this week at a position group where they were already perilously thin.
Specifically, the team just announced that starting defensive tackle Shy Tuttle has been downgraded to out for tomorrow's road game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He had originally been listed as doubtful to play. Taking his place on the game-day roster will be defensive end DeShawn Williams, who has been elevated from the practice squad for this week.
This hits the Panthers' interior defensive line rotation particularly hard, because they were already missing the guy who made it a top-heavy unit in the first place. Superstar defensive tackle Derrick Brown was ruled out for the rest of the season after Week 1's loss with a meniscus tear. That news immediately made Carolina's iDL unit the worst in the league on paper, and their total inability to stop the run last week was proof of it.
This week's opponents are not nearly as capable or run-heavy as the Los Angeles Chargers or the New Orleans Saints this year, though. The Raiders have been much more pass-happy with Josh Jacobs out of the picture and Gardner Minshew in the backfield. Their pass/run split is currently at 55 throws to 39 carries. Zamir White is their leading rusher with 68 yards on 22 carries (3.1 per attempt).
Even still, A'Shawn Robinson and Nick Thurman now project to start up front and the only backup option for tomorrow's game playing behind them will be Williams.
The Carolina Panthers probably won’t have another one of their opening-day starting defensive linemen in Week 3. Nose tackle Shy Tuttle remained out of practice on Thursday due to a foot injury. The 28-year-old defender, who is in his second season with the Panthers, was also a non-participant for yesterday’s session. Line mate A’Shawn Robinson, however, did return to the practice field after also sitting Wednesday out. Robinson (knee) was listed as a limited participant. Carolina is already without Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown, who will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn meniscus.
All has not been lost for the Carolina Panthers' defensive line in Week 3. This afternoon's matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders will already be missing Pro Bowler Derrick Brown and nose tackle Shy Tuttle. Brown, of course, had his season ended due to a meniscus tear he sustained in Week 1 while Tuttle, who was listed as doubtful on Friday's injury report, was officially ruled out yesterday.
With those two down, the Carolina defense was left with just one opening-day starter from their line—A'Shawn Robinson. But Robinson, who was down as questionable after three limited practices this week, will be in uniform. He should be joined in the trench by Jayden Peevy, Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray and DeShawn Williams—who was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday.
Robinson (knee) is active Sunday against the Raiders, David Newton of ESPN.com reports. Robinson was limited in practice to close out the week but feels well enough to take the field in Week 3. His ability to take the field should be a boost to the Panthers' defensive front.
Considering the Panthers are coughing up 199.5 yards per game on the ground through the opening two weeks, this is a concerning development. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero needs to roll with the punches and somehow get this unit humming despite being under strength.
The Carolina Panthers have a chance to fight back from increasing adversity in Week 3 at the Las Vegas Raiders. This game represents an opportunity to get away from the off-the-field distractions and criticism coming from every section of the media after they decided to bench quarterback Bryce Young. But the margin for error has gone from slim to non-existent following a disastrous start to the campaign.
Las Vegas has no such concerns. They are riding on the crest of a wave under head coach Antonio Pierce. Gardner Minshew is enjoying a renaissance under center following his switch to the desert in free agency. Their impressive triumph at the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2 is proof things are heading in the right direction.
This is a monumental challenge for the Panthers, who need to show the correct resolve and put together a performance their disillusioned fanbase can be proud of. That will be difficult, especially if Andy Dalton cannot maximize another starting chance, so nothing but maximum effort and protecting the football will do.
It's a time for strong characters and everyone in the building to show some pride. They are the league's laughingstock with nobody to blame but themselves. It's beyond time this narrative started to change.
Panthers DT Shy Tuttle has been downgraded from doubtful to out and won’t travel to Las Vegas. DE DeShawn Williams (standard elevation) has been activated. Defensive line is an issue.
