Carolina Panthers Depth Chart
- NFC South
- Stadium
- Bank of America Stadium
- Head Coach
- Frank Reich
- Offensive Coordinator
- Thomas Brown
- Defensive Coordinator
- Ejiro Evero
- Special Teams Coach
- Chris Tabor
- Defensive Scheme
- 3-4
Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (ankle) took part in team drills at practice on Thursday. It was Chark's first action in 11-on-11 drills since he had a cleanup surgery on his ankle this offseason. The Panthers added the 26-year-old pass-catcher in the offseason to be a starter on the outside opposite Terrace Marshall Jr. He'll be a starter in his first year with Carolina, but his availability is what is in question. Chark has missed 22 of 50 games since he broke out in his second NFL season in 2019 with 1,008 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 73 receptions. Since then, he has 90 catches for 1,362 yards and 10 TDs in three seasons. Chark has some big-play ability, but he'll likely be a frustrating and inconsistent fantasy option while working with rookie quarterback Bryce Young in 2023.
Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young, the first overall pick in this year's NFL draft, opened Thursday's organized team activities with the first-team offense, according to multiple reports from the session. Young had been behind veteran Andy Dalton in all of the other spring practices open to the media. The 21-year-old was eventually expected to take over first-team duties, but this is a little bit earlier than expected. It's a sign that the Alabama product is impressing the coaching staff as he learns the offense under head coach Frank Reich. Barring an injury, it would be a huge surprise if Young isn't the starter under center for Carolina in Week 1 of the regular season.
The Carolina Panthers announced on Thursday that cornerback Jaycee Horn (ankle, foot) will miss the rest of organized team activities and minicamp with a non-surgical injury to his left ankle and foot that he suffered while working out on his own last weekend. The good news is Horn is expected to be fully recovered in time for the start of training camp at the end of July. The 23-year-old will be in a walking boot for the next couple of weeks. The former eighth overall pick in 2021 has played in only 16 games in his first two NFL seasons due to injury. In 13 contests in 2022, Horn finished with 53 tackles (37 solo), three interceptions and seven passes defensed for Carolina's secondary.
Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (wrist), the eighth overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft, has played in only 16 games in his first two NFL seasons due to injury. But he's still only 23 and made NFL.com analyst and former NFL scout Bucky Brooks' all-breakout team for 2023. Horn led the Panthers with three interceptions and tied for the team lead with seven pass breakups last year despite missing the last two games with a broken wrist. He played in just three games his rookie year due to a broken right foot. The 23-year-old has been a full participant in workouts this spring, and he said he's "in a good spot right now." A fully healthy Horn in 2023 would be a huge boost to Carolina's secondary this year.
Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst (hernia) will resume running routes on Friday. The 29-year-old is coming off sports-hernia surgery this offseason. Although, he does have plenty of time to get back up to full speed before training camp begins. Hurst will look to build upon his surprisingly solid season with the Cincinnati Bengals last season. He finished with 52 receptions, 414 yards, and two touchdowns in 13 games. The Panthers added multiple weapons over the offseason, including Hurst. He should have a significant role in the offense, so there's some TE2 appeal here.
