Panthers Week 10 injury report: Latest on Brian Burns, DJ Chark, Xavier Woods and more

Panthers fans hoping for some last-minute luck with the team’s Week 10 injury report will be pretty disappointed when Carolina takes the field Thursday against the Chicago Bears.

The team ruled out pass rusher Brian Burns (concussion), cornerback CJ Henderson (concussion), wideout Laviska Shenault (ankle) and tight end Stephen Sullivan (shoulder) heading into the prime-time matchup at Soldier Field.

Panthers head coach Frank Reich was transparent throughout the early days of week when it came to the lack of faith in the availability of Burns and Henderson. Shenault and Sullivan also failed to practice throughout the week.

With Burns out of the lineup, the Panthers are likely to elevate practice-squad pass rusher Eku Leota, who has been boosted to the game-day roster in each of the past two weeks. Leota will join an inexperienced pass rusher brigade that will be led by fellow rookie DJ Johnson and second-year pass rusher Amare Barno.

Inside linebacker Frankie Luvu is likely to work on the outside this week with Burns sidelined and Justin Houston (hamstring) on injured reserve. Veteran pass rusher Marquis Haynes (back) had his 21-day practice window activated this week, but he remains on injured reserve as of Wednesday. The Panthers gave Haynes a “questionable” tag entering the matchup against Chicago.

At cornerback, the Panthers are likely to start special teams standout Dicaprio Bootle opposite Donte Jackson and Troy Hill. The Panthers also have rookie D’Shawn Jamison and recent waiver-wire addition David Long Jr. at the position.

Jordan Matthews was promoted to the 53-man roster this week to provide tight end depth behind Hayden Hurst and Tommy Tremble with Sullivan nursing a shoulder injury. Matthews, a former wideout, could also see time at wide receiver in a pinch if receiver DJ Chark (elbow) can’t play with a “doubtful” tag.

For now, though, expect former second-round pick Terrace Marshall to be the next man up if Chark is held out. Returner Ihmir Smith-Marsette could also see looks on offense with the low roster numbers. The team also has Derek Wright, Matt Landers and Michael Strachan on the practice squad at wide receiver.

At safety, the Panthers will rely on rookie Alex Cook behind on-the-mend starters Xavier Woods and Vonn Bell. Woods and Bell are listed as “questionable.” Woods injured his thigh in last week’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts, while Bell has missed the past three games with a quadriceps injury. Along with Cook, the Panthers have Sam Franklin, Matthias Farley and Jammie Robinson as depth at the position.

The Panthers are light on linebacker depth after placing Chandler Wooten on injured reserve Tuesday. The team signed linebacker Blake Martinez to the practice squad this week, but it’s unclear whether or not he will be elevated after a few days with the team.

UPDATE: The Panthers, following the release of their injury report, waived veteran backup lineman David Sharpe. The team has two open spots on its 53-man roster heading into Thursday.

Below is the Panthers’ final injury report for Week 10:

Out: OLB Brian Burns (concussion), CB CJ Henderson (concussion), WR/RB Laviska Shenault (ankle), TE Stephen Sullivan (shoulder).

Doubtful: WR DJ Chark (elbow).

Questionable: S Xavier Woods (thigh), S Vonn Bell (quadriceps), OLB Marquis Haynes (back - IR).