Panthers rule out LB Devin Lloyd (calf) for Sunday vs. Browns; Coker and Legette questionable
Carolina's defensive playmaker will watch from the sideline in Cleveland after a calf injury kept him out of practice all week, while both starting wideouts are up in the air
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The Panthers will take the field in Cleveland without their defensive catalyst. Linebacker Devin Lloyd has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Browns with a calf injury, ending a week in which he never practiced following his breakout performance in Carolina's blowout win over the Falcons.
Joseph Person (@josephperson): Panthers' injury report vs. Browns: Out: LB Devin Lloyd (calf), Nick Scott (rib), LB Claudin Cherelus (shoulder) Questionable: WR Jalen Coker (ankle), WR Xavier Legette (knee)
Lloyd was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week after terrorizing Atlanta, recording a sack, a pair of interceptions and a pick-six. Losing him is a significant blow to a Carolina defense that relied on his playmaking. With Lloyd sidelined, Bobby Okereke and Tyrel Dodson are in line to take the majority of the snaps at linebacker.
The injury report thins the Panthers elsewhere too. Safety Nick Scott (rib) and linebacker Claudin Cherelus (shoulder) are also ruled out. On offense, receivers Jalen Coker (ankle) and Xavier Legette (knee) are both listed as questionable after returning for limited practice Friday; coach Dave Canales said he expects Coker to play.
Coker's status is worth watching given how productive he's been. He has caught eight passes in each of his first two games and leads the Panthers with 16 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns. If he and Legette are limited, Carolina's passing attack would lean harder on its remaining targets against a Cleveland defense playing at home.