Panthers' cornerback depth takes a hit with backup ruled out for 2025 season

Mathis, 26, is a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Pittsburgh and spent his first three seasons with the Denver Broncos. However, Mathis was part of the team's cuts at the end of August and was claimed by the Panthers in hopes of improving their depth at cornerback.

Unfortunately for Mathis and the Panthers, things are not going to work out for the season. Mathis is a free agent this spring, so the timing could not have been worse for the injury.

It remains to be seen if Mathis will stick around with the Panthers for 2026, but a torn ACL should keep him out until next summer at the earliest.

With Mathis out for the year, the Panthers will rely on Akayleb Evans, Jaycee Horn, Michael Jackson, Chau Smith-Wade, Corey Thornton and Kalen King from the practice squad in the cornerback room.

There's also a possibility the Panthers will add a cornerback in free agency, but there isn't much time before the team visits the Jacksonville Jaguars for their Week 1 matchup, so it may come a bit further down the line.