The Carolina Panthers may have to put yet another player on the shelf.
Wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. made an early exit from Sunday’s 42-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins. The fourth-year pass catcher and former second-round pick had to be helped off the field and carted away after sustaining what was ultimately determined to be an ankle injury.
Following the game, Shenault Jr. was seen on crutches and wearing a walking boot on his right foot. Vashti Hurt of Carolina Blitz and David Newton of ESPN were first with the observation.
Just saw Viska in the locker room with his right foot in a boot and on crutches.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) October 15, 2023
Panthers’ Laviska Shenault came into the locker room on crutches with a walking boot on his right foot.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) October 15, 2023
The Panthers are already without a handful of key players. On offense, they’ve lost left guard Brady Christensen (biceps), didn’t have Miles Sanders (shoulder) and are still waiting on right guard Austin Corbett (knee) to return. On defense, they’re down—to some degree or another—cornerback Jaycee Horn (hamstring), linebacker Shaq Thompson (fibula) and safeties Vonn Bell (quadriceps) and Xavier Woods (hamstring).
Head coach Frank Reich, in addition to Shenault Jr., also provided some newer injuries from the Week 6 defeat. They’ll now have to monitor outside linebacker Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring), linebacker Frankie Luvu (hip) and guard Calvin Throckmorton (calf).
So, yeah, the injured and 0-6 Panthers are probably glad their bye week is here.
