Panthers Week 8 injury report: Latest on Brian Burns, Miles Sanders and Laviska Shenault
The Panthers are monitoring the statuses of five notable players ahead of their Week 7 home matchup against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Pass rusher Brian Burns (elbow), linebackers Frankie Luvu (hip) and Kamu Grugier-Hill (illness), safety Xavier Woods (hamstring) and right tackle Taylor Moton (knee) have been listed as “questionable” heading into the weekend.
Burns popped up on the injury report Thursday as a limited participant. He did not practice on Friday. If Burns were to miss the game, Amare Barno, rookie DJ Johnson and new arrival, Luiji Vilain, would have bigger roles opposite Justin Houston.
Luvu practiced in a red “non-contact” jersey throughout the week. The linebacker injured his hip in the Week 6 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Like Burns, Grugier-Hill failed to practice on Friday. Grugier-Hill hadn’t been on the injury report prior to Friday’s practice. The Panthers would rely on Deion Jones and Chandler Wooten if either Grugier-Hill or Luvu were to miss the game.
Moton (knee), who practiced in a limited capacity this week, was part of the workout on Friday. Woods, who has missed the past three games, was a full participant to end the week. Veteran David Sharpe would probably be active if Moton were to sit out on Sunday.
The Panthers also ruled out safety Vonn Bell (quadriceps) and wideout/running back Laviska Shenault (ankle) for the game against Houston. Bell previously missed the matchup against Miami, while Shenault was injured against the Dolphins.
Latest on Miles Sanders, Austin Corbett vs. Texans
In positive news, running back Miles Sanders (shoulder) — who missed the loss to the Dolphins — was left off the final injury report and will play against the Texans. While Reich declined to talk about the depth chart during the week, Sanders is expected to share carries with Chuba Hubbard as a top tandem in a rotation.
Right guard Austin Corbett (knee), who was activated off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list Tuesday, was not given a status for Week 8. Corbett will return to the right guard spot after missing the entire summer and first six games of the regular season following ACL surgery.
Calvin Throckmorton, who started the past four games at right guard, will move to left guard in place of rookie Chandler Zavala, who wasn’t given a status, despite his neck injury.
Panthers final injury report:
Questionable: OLB Brian Burns (elbow), S Xavier Woods (hamstring), LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (illness), LB Frankie Luvu (hip), RT Taylor Moton (knee)
OUT: S Vonn Bell (quadriceps), WR/RB Laviska Shenault (ankle)
