Panthers rule out Miles Sanders, Vonn Bell for Sunday's game against Miami
The Carolina Panthers officially ruled out running back Miles Sanders and safety Vonn Bell for Sunday’s game against the 4-1 Miami Dolphins. Sanders is dealing with a shoulder injury while Bell has a quadriceps injury. Neither practiced on Friday ahead of the trip to South Florida.
Also a concern, Brian Burns and Derrick Brown also did not participate in Thursday’s practice because of injuries. The status for both players for Sunday’s game remains in question. Burns has an ankle issue while Brown is battling knee and ankle injuries.
The updates come just a couple of days before Carolina hits the field to play the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Slowing down Miami’s offense is going to be a tall task at full strength. If the Panthers have to play the game without their star defensive players, things could get ugly. Safety Xavier Woods is also out again as he continues recovering from a hamstring injury.
Through the first five games this season, Brown has accounted for 29 total tackles and a sack for the Panthers. Burns has tallied 18 stops, four sacks and a forced fumble.
Panthers rookie offensive lineman Chandler Zavala is also out for Sunday. He collapsed mid-play last week as he was blocking a Lions defensive lineman and had to take a cart off the field. Luckily, the rookie was able to signal that he was alright with a thumbs up as the cart drove to the locker room. He went to the hospital for further evaluation but was able to make the trip back home with the team.
Sunday’s game at Hard Rock Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. CBS carries coverage of the contest. Carolina is the only team in the NFL without a win, sitting at 0-5.
Panthers simplifying offense for rookie QB Bryce Young
Having yet to post a tally in the win column through five weeks, Carolina is desperate to get one. So how will the team try to make that happen? Head coach Frank Reich says it’s by simplifying things offensively for rookie quarterback Bryce Young.
“Every coach would tell you when you’re 0-5, what’s the answer? Do more? No, it’s do less,” Reich told reporters during his Wednesday press conference.
“Does that mean we gave him too much — maybe, maybe not. I don’t know the answer to that. I just know we have to get better. … It’s not just for the quarterback but the whole team. We did it on offense, defense and special teams — simplify, simplify, simplify. Do the basics, and let the players play fast.”
In his first five weeks leading an NFL offense, Young has thrown for 750 yards and five touchdowns with four touchdowns. He’s posting a 63.9% completion rate.
On3’s Dustin Schutte contributed to this report.