2026 Week 8 Panthers Injury Report: Four Starters DNP, Bryce Young Full Go for Thursday Night

According to ProFootballTalk (NBC Sports), the Carolina Panthers submitted their estimated Monday injury report for Thursday night's game with four starters listed as did-not-participate (DNP): defensive tackle Bobby Brown (hand), cornerback Akayeb Evans (triceps/knee), offensive guard Damien Lewis (knee), and outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips (hamstring). Offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins III (ankle) was also DNP but is not a starter. The Panthers did not actually hold a Monday practice — the DNP designations are estimates, as is standard on off days.

The most pressing fantasy angle here is the offensive line. With both Lewis and Simpkins III potentially unavailable on a short week, Carolina's pass protection could be compromised heading into Thursday night. That matters directly for Bryce Young and the Panthers' passing game.

Bryce Young

The good news: Young was listed as a full participant for the third straight week despite remaining on the injury report with a knee designation. ProFootballTalk notes he has fully participated in every practice during that stretch. Barring a change later in the week, his availability isn't in question. The real concern is the offensive line in front of him — losing Lewis and potentially Simpkins III on a Thursday turnaround is a legitimate reason to temper expectations for Young's floor this week.

Jalen Coker

Coker turned up on the report with a shoulder injury and was limited rather than a full DNP — a slight positive, but worth monitoring closely given the short week. If he's trending toward active, his role in Carolina's passing attack makes him relevant in PPR (point-per-reception) formats. If he's ruled out or significantly limited, snap share and targets would shift elsewhere on the Panthers' receiver depth chart. Check Wednesday's practice report, which will carry far more weight than Monday's estimate before a Thursday kickoff.