Week 15 saw the Carolina Panthers have to a run a makeshift tryout at kicker following the season-ending quad injury to Zane Gonzalez. Now, this week’s may not have to be as impromptu, but the receiver position could very well be next.
On Thursday, the team announced the additions of cornerback Stephon Gilmore and wideout Shi Smith to the reserve/COVID-19 list. Gilmore’s status for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was already in doubt, making his placement a tad easier to take on.
Smith’s potential absence, however, can throw Carolina in quite a bit of danger considering they won’t have Terrace Marshall Jr. and, quite possibly, Robby Anderson—who missed a second straight day of practice on Thursday.
| Injury | Wed. | Thurs. | Fri. | Game status | |
| WR Robby Anderson | Quad | DNP | DNP | ||
| CB Stephon Gilmore | Groin | DNP | – | ||
| S Sean Chandler | Groin | DNP | DNP | ||
| DE Yetur Gross-Matos | Illness | DNP | – | ||
| WR Shi Smith | Illness | DNP | – | ||
| CB CJ Henderson | Knee | Limited | Limited | ||
| DT Derrick Brown | Elbow | – | Limited |
Outside of Smith, Anderson and Marshall, the Panthers are currently carrying DJ Moore, Brandon Zylstra and Alex Erickson on the active roster. They also have three wideouts on their practice squad—Keith Kirkwood, C.J. Saunders and Willie Snead—they may look to in a pinch.
Regardless, this isn’t the best of situations to deal with in closing the campaign, especially one that’s trotting along with a struggling offense and a six-game losing streak.
