Panthers place two DBs on IR with return designations

Carolina placed cornerback Dane Jackson and safety Sam Franklin on IR, applying return designations for both DBs. This will mean Carolina’s IR-activation count will drop from eight to six. The Panthers will follow the Colts, Jaguars and others in using both their IR-return moves before setting their 53-man roster.

Both players will still need to sit out four games to open the season, but regardless of each’s return, they will count toward Carolina’s activation number as of Tuesday. Jackson sustained a hamstring injury expected to sideline him for around six weeks. With the ex-Bills corner in the running for a starting job opposite Jaycee Horn, the Panthers will prioritize his comeback. Franklin sustained a broken foot days into training camp.

Jackson signed a two-year, $8.5M deal that comes with $5.1M guaranteed at signing. The Panthers made this move after they made the Donte Jackson-for-Diontae Johnson trade. Dane Jackson started 28 games for the Bills, including 14 in their 13-3 2022 season. The Panthers retained Franklin on a one-year, $2.6M deal.