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Panthers made several roster moves ahead of Week 5 matchup, but fans are still waiting on the biggest one to drop

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kole Noble | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 1:23 PM ET

As expected, the Carolina Panthers are making some changes coming off a blowout loss to the New England Patriots before the team's Week 5 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

On Tuesday, the Panthers waived former third-round pick DJ Johnson after his first start off the edge ended in disappointment. And on Wednesday, the team announced a whole slew of even more roster moves.

For starters, two players were placed on the injured reserve in right guard Chandler Zavala and wide receiver David Moore. Zavala was starting in place of Robert Hunt, who was placed on the injured reserve following the Week 2 loss, but suffered a knee injury against the Patriots. Moore was carted off the field due to an elbow injury suffered on Sunday.

In corresponding moves, the Panthers promoted running back DeeJay Dallas and safety Trevian Thomas from the practice squad onto the active roster and signed offensive lineman Jake Curhan off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. Carolina also opened the 21-day window for defensive end LaBryan Ray to return to practice off the injured reserve.

Panthers make a flurry of moves heading into Week 5https://t.co/exDPT2e7wU
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 1, 2025

Still no official update on WR Jalen Coker's return from the injured reserve

Amid all the roster moves announced over the last two days, still no decision as been made on wide receiver Jalen Coker, who was placed on the injured reserve prior to the regular season due to a quad injury. Coker was eligible to have his 21-day window opened after Week 4's game.

Head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that Coker is still considered week-to-week due to his injury and still not able to return to practice.

As for some good news at WR following Moore's placement on the IR, second-year wide receiver Xavier Legette is trending up for Week 5 after missing the last two weeks due to a hamstring injury.

"Xavier had a good day (on Monday)," Canales added. "But again, we're gonna have to take that, Xavier, really day-to-day and still week-to-week with Coker to see where we're at as we challenge them with more of a load that simulates what a game might be. Because the first step is to get the player healthy. The second step is to make sure he's got the endurance and the resilience to be able to handle significant reps."

Getting both players back on the field will be major additions to the passing game. In the meantime, Canales hinted at getting rookie wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. and his speed more involved on offense.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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