Jalen Coker and Other Panthers Injury Updates

Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Jalen Coker and Other Panthers Injury Updates

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Bryce Lazenby | Last updated Sep 16, 2026 8:06 PM ET

The Carolina Panthers were relatively healthy leading into Week 1.

Veteran outside linebacker Patrick Jones II was the lone player to miss the contest with an injury. Jones missed most of the 2025 season with a back injury, and he aggravated it this summer.

After Week 1, one of the stars of the opener, Jalen Coker, was seen in a walking boot. That was a scary sight considering Coker just had the best game of his life against the Bears. Coker told reporters that it was just a precautionary measure after he rolled his ankle in the first quarter.

The Panthers held practice on Wednesday, so we have our first injury report for Week 2. Were Coker and Jones able to practice? Was anybody else added? Let’s take a look. p

Panthers’ Wednesday Injury Report

Sep 13, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) scores a touchdown in the second half against the Chicago Bears at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

On Wednesday, the following players were on the injury report:

WR Jalen Coker- Ankle- Limited
DL Bobby Brown III- Back- DNP
OLB Pat Jones II- Back- DNP
TE Darren Waller- Rest- DNP

It’s a good sign that Coker was able to practice in a limited fashion, at least. The receiver was one of the best players on the field on Sunday, so losing him would be a massive blow.

It’s not surprising to see Jones out of practice again. This is a long-term injury that’s been bothering him off and on for a year now. With Jones out in Week 1, Princely Umanmielen and Trevis Gipson filled in, and they were mediocre. Umanmielen did pick up one sack, but the defense in general was bad.

Bobby Brown’s injury is concerning. Brown was the only defensive lineman who didn’t play horribly on Sunday. The veteran earned an 89.5 PFF grade, which was the highest grade of any defender on the team.

Losing Brown for Week 2 would be a big loss, because the depth isn’t great on the line to begin with.

Waller missing practice is no big deal, as it was not injury-related. Waller was still at the facility in street clothes.

It will be interesting to see how the report changes over the next two days. Right now, Brown and Coker are the most notable names to watch.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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