The Carolina Panthers placed linebacker Marquis Haynes on injured reserve on Monday, which means the former Rebel will miss at least four weeks of the 2023 season. The Panthers now have 51 players on the 53-man roster heading into Week 1 where they’ll face Atlanta on the road.
The linebacker suffered a back injury during training camp that sidelined him the majority of the time. He was able to practice upon the team’s return to Charlotte but left last week.
In 2022, Haynes posted a career-high five sacks, along with 29 tackles and a fumble recovery in 17 games played.
The Panthers drafted Haynes at No. 136 overall in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss. After minimal participation in his rookie season, he’s continually increased his impact on the Carolina defense over the last four years.
Haynes’ injury this preseason came after some rave early reviews of his play during OTAs.
“Nobody stood out more in Carolina’s quest to find an edge rusher opposite Brian Burns than the sixth-year player,” Carolina insider David Newton wrote in June. “He constantly was in the face of rookie quarterback Bryce Young, who said Haynes has ‘been great.’ Carolina still likely will add a veteran edge rusher, but what Haynes has shown coming off a season in which he had a career-high five sacks has to make coach Frank Reich & Co. more comfortable.”
Hopefully, for the Panthers, Haynes will be able to bounce back quickly and continue chasing his big payday. After tallying 20 tackles, three sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss in 2021, the Panthers signed the edge rusher to a new two-year deal worth $5.5 million. His contract will now run out after the 2023 season.
Panthers add two to practice squad
The Carolina Panthers continue to make roster adjustments as the NFL regular season approaches. On Friday, the team waived injured wide receiver Marquez Stevenson and signed two different players to the practice squad.
Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, the Panthers added linebacker Chandler Wooten and wide receiver Derek Wright to the practice team just a week before the start of the season. Carolina opens the year against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 10.
Stevenson was a sixth-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Houston. He spent nearly two seasons with the Buffalo Bills and has accounted for 297 return yards.
Wooten went undrafted in 2022 out of Auburn. He was signed by the Panthers midway through the 2022 campaign and appeared in nine total contests for the team. The linebacker accounted for one tackle and a forced fumble.
Wright was also an undrafted free agent following the NFL Draft. He spent last season in Carolina as a member of the practice squad, as well. Wright played college football at Utah State.
On3’s Dustin Schutte contributed to this report.
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