PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Carolina Panthers will play Sunday without running back AJ Dillon after listing the veteran out with an ankle problem on the Friday injury report ahead of the trip to face the Eagles.
Dillon missed every practice this week. Rookie right tackle Monroe Freeling is doubtful with a knee problem after a limited Friday session and after leaving the Detroit game before the team’s bye.
Five others carry questionable tags: guard Damien Lewis (elbow), outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips (hamstring), and three players working back from injured reserve — running back Trevor Etienne (ankle), tackle Taylor Moton (lungs, blood clot) and defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (neck). Those three return candidates took full practice reps during the week.
Coach Dave Canales said the club expects to activate Etienne and to bring up Anthony Tyus III from the practice squad so three backs can dress with Dillon sidelined. Moton and Wharton were to be checked again Saturday before the flight to Philadelphia.
Quarterback Bryce Young, receiver Jalen Coker, tight ends Darren Waller and Tommy Tremble, and linebacker Thomas Incoom had no game designations on Friday’s sheet.
The matchup already forced midweek defensive adjustments after Philadelphia changed quarterbacks. Carolina arrives needing healthy bodies in the run game and along the offensive line if it wants to keep pace in the NFC South race.
Depth chart and roster pages on the club site list the latest active moves for Sunday. Special teams and the secondary remain relatively healthy compared with the offensive line and backfield, giving coordinators at least one unit they can leave alone while they sort Sunday’s inactives.
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