Panthers activate OT Taylor Moton, DT Tershawn Wharton, RB Trevor Etienne from injured reserve
Carolina gets a trio of key players back after bye week, headlined by Moton's return from a blood-clot scare that kept him out all season
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The Carolina Panthers activated three key players from injured reserve on Saturday, headlined by starting right tackle Taylor Moton making his 2026 debut after a harrowing health scare that sidelined him for the entire offseason and first five weeks.
Moton missed all of training camp and the start of the regular season after developing blood clots in his lungs — a condition he described as life-threatening, involving coughing up blood and a dangerously high blood pressure reading. He returned to practice this week for the first time since June and is now cleared to play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The timing is critical for Carolina's offensive line. First-round pick Monroe Freeling, who had taken over at right tackle in Moton's absence, is listed as doubtful with a knee injury. Stone Forsythe replaced Freeling after the Week 4 injury.
Defensive tackle Tershawn "Turk" Wharton was also activated after recovering from a neck injury. Wharton's return bolsters Carolina's interior defensive line rotation against an Eagles rushing attack that remains dangerous even with Saquon Barkley's status uncertain.
Running back Trevor Etienne is back after an ankle injury, adding depth to a backfield that has relied heavily on veteran AJ Dillon, who has been ruled out for Sunday with an ankle injury. The Panthers also elevated running back Anthony Tyus and cornerback Robert Rochell from the practice squad for Sunday's game.