CHARLOTTE — The Panthers are at least used to adjusting at linebacker this season, and they're going to have to again this week.
They'll have another pairing inside this week against the Buccaneers, as veteran starter Josey Jewell was ruled out Friday because of a concussion.
That leaves old/new face Chandler Wooten and Jacoby Windmon inside this week, with special teamer Jon Rhattigan in reserve. Wooten rolled back in Tuesday after spending a week on the 49ers practice squad. He's been here since 2022 and has played in 20 games.
"Life comes at you fast," Wooten said with a laugh.
This is a team that started the season with team captain Shaq Thompson and Jewell inside, but Thompson was lost for the year in Week 4. The Panthers are also a week removed from placing a pair of replacements (rookie Trevin Wallace and Claudin Cherelus) on injured reserve as well.
That creates some obvious issues for a team that's last in the league in run defense already (allowing 175.2 yards per game) and is facing a team that's seventh in the league in rushing (143.7).
"It's communication, right?" Panthers head coach Dave Canales said. "It's all the variables, all the situational things that come up throughout the course of a week. When you play a type of scheme, there are things that people try to challenge you with, and so it's about getting those guys up to speed on these different situations. Here's what they're trying to attack.
"That's getting all that communicated and being ready for all the different variables is the greatest challenge."
In that regard, Wooten actually has an experience advantage, having been here with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and his staff for the last two offseasons as well. Windmon was signed off the Steelers practice squad, and his background comes from the time he spent with inside linebackers coach Pete Hansen at UNLV.
Legette looking good to play
Rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette is trending towards playing on Sunday against the Bucs. It's a positive step forward for the receiver who was held out of last week's game against the Cardinals with a hip/wrist injury. Legette took time this week to work through drills with fellow rookie Jalen Coker and receivers coach Rob Moore, taking on each test from the coaches and trainers.
"It was really just like each day just going through the volume that we asked of him and then he kind of crushed those days," Canales shared Friday. "And then had a great practice yesterday which was like our full speed kind of normal practice day."
Legette was a full participant on Tuesday and limited on Thursday and Friday, but with what he was able to show, coaches feel comfortable with him playing, despite his "questionable" game status.
"Today was a little modified, but he handled yesterday great," Canales continued. "Bounced back today with another solid day, so really excited to get him back out there."
Horn the domino to determine the secondary Sunday
The Panthers are in wait-and-see mode with their secondary for Sunday's game, much of it depending on Jaycee Horn's availability.
Horn (hip) did not practice all week and is officially listed as doubtful.
"We'll check in with him," Canales said of the plan with Horn over the weekend. "Of course we'd love to have Jaycee out there so we'll check in with him again one more time in the morning (Saturday) to see where we're at, and then if not we have other guys who've been taking the reps for him this week."
Horn left the Week 14 game against the Philadelphia Eagles early with a groin injury. But after years of having season's cut short by injuries, he was determined to make it back on the field. He did, playing 100 percent of the snaps the following two weeks.
Outside corner isn't the only spot the Panthers are in flux about this week. Chau Smith-Wade (illness/chest) is officially out, meaning Dane Jackson could slot back into the nickel position.
"He's had his opportunities this year, you know, so this will be another great one for Dane to get in there and show what he can do," Canales said of Jackson.
With Jackson taking the reps inside, there lies the possibility of seeing younger guys on the field at outside corner, something Canales sees a silver lining in near the end of the season. If Horn is available though, all of these questions are moot.
"We'd love to see a Akayleb Evans, would love to see Shemar Bartholomew as well," Canales shared. "So we're kind of going through that, and again it's gonna be all based on the availability of Jaycee."
View photos from the Panthers' practice as the team prepares to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.