The Panthers defense, already depleted by injuries to key players, had to finish Sunday’s game against the Bengals without two more starters. Both inside linebackers, Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell, left during the same drive in their 34-24 loss.
Cornerback Jaycee Horn expressed concern for Thompson after the game, noting how difficult it was to see him go down after all he’d been through. Thompson left with an ankle injury late in the third quarter, and his status will be clearer after further evaluation, according to offensive coordinator Canales. Jewell followed shortly after with groin and hamstring injuries, leaving the Panthers to play the last two-and-a-half drives without both starting linebackers, Derrick Brown (out for the season), and Shy Tuttle (sidelined with a foot injury).
Despite the absences, Horn emphasized that the team’s standard remains the same, regardless of who’s on the field. Rookie Trevin Wallace and second-year linebacker Claudin Cherelus stepped in to fill the gaps. Wallace, who had called plays during OTAs, took charge on defense, and though teammates joked about his accent, his leadership was praised by Canales and defensive lineman DeShawn Williams. Both Wallace and Cherelus managed to hold their own despite being thrust into the spotlight.
However, the Panthers’ defense admitted their struggles went beyond missing personnel. They gave up too much in the first half, allowing four consecutive touchdowns, with lapses in discipline and execution. Williams emphasized that the mistakes were on them, noting that if they could correct their fundamentals, the outcome could have been different. Cherelus echoed this, pointing out how the Bengals took advantage of missed tackles and defensive breakdowns.
Cincinnati’s rushing game, though not overwhelming in total yardage, had several key plays that kept the Panthers off balance. The Bengals also exploited gaps and used a jumbo package to challenge the Panthers’ defense, which Wallace noted was difficult to stop despite knowing where the ball was going.
Missed tackles and penalties, including two defensive pass interference calls, also contributed to the Bengals’ offensive success. Ja’Marr Chase’s 63-yard touchdown highlighted the defensive breakdowns that Horn admitted they were trying to prevent. While the Panthers played better in the second half, the damage was done early on.
As they await further news on Thompson and Jewell, the Panthers may have to rely more heavily on their younger players moving forward. Wallace, in particular, took Thompson’s advice to heart, understanding that this is his opportunity to step up.
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