CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers could be without pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney again this week, although the club remains hopeful.

Clowney, who exited the Week 5 game against the Chicago Bears with a shoulder injury, was able to take part in a limited role in practice on Friday, his first action of the week and first since Week 5. He is officially listed with the "doubtful" game designation on the final injury report.

Speaking to reporters Friday afternoon post-practice, Clowney did admit he thinks it unlikely he'll play on Sunday against the Washington Commanders.

"It's getting better. I'll probably be down this week, but I'm headed in the right direction. Better than it was last week," Clowney explained.

He has spent the past two weeks working his way back. While he doesn't anticipate playing Sunday, Dave Canales and staff hesitated to list him as out. Given Clowney's years of experience, if there's any chance he can play, Canales wanted to keep that door open.

"I just hold out hope for JD," Canales said Friday. "Like let's push on him and move him again tomorrow and just see if he, you know, in any capacity, if he says you know what I can go, then we'd love to have him, whatever that capacity that is.

"But first and foremost, it's like, let's take care of Jadeveon and let's do what's best for the team. So, we'll keep working through that."

Clowney explained that the injury initially happened on a goal line play early in the second quarter against the Bears. From there, the injury aggravated before he finally exited the game two drives later. The outside linebacker said he couldn't even run last week because the movement would jostle his shoulder and cause pain. As a pass-rusher, a shoulder injury not only means discomfort but severely limits the arsenal of moves available.

With that in mind, the Panthers are incredibly patient with Clowney's return, as the club has been all season regarding injuries. It's an approach that the 11-year veteran admitted isn't always the norm but is appreciated.

"I have been in situations where it's not like that, and you come to the building, and you start looking around to see how they are looking or whatever; you might feel a little pressure because of where I've been," Clowney said. "But this hasn't been that way here, and I got a lot of respect for them guys. They understand the game and what we deal with. So, like I said, it's getting better, and try to get back to the next week."

That approach, while leading at times to an extended injury report, is important to Canales and staff. Every team deals with injuries, the coach reminded on Friday. Listening to the players sets a culture that pays off down the road.

"I just think we have to just communicate with the player, you know, and they have to be honest about their ability to help us win on Sunday," Canales said. "Just kind of taking that information in and making sure that as a staff, we're prepared for whatever follows up after that.

"For me, it's like we have to default on what the player feels, what he can do, and what he can bring to our team."

While Clowney's status is unknown and tipping towards unavailable for another game, the three-time Pro Bowler is staying involved as much as possible. Despite his limited reps on Friday, he pulled Marquis Haynes Sr. aside to work through some footwork drills. Clowney offered tips and explained what he would be forcing an opponent into with different approaches.

He's also tried to speak up in meetings, offering insight into what stands out about Jayden Daniels and the Commanders.

"The biggest thing I told them to me, what jumped out, is the quarterback," Clowney shared. "I think he makes all the plays for them. He the one that make it go over there.

"We need to corral him and keep him in the pocket and don't give up a lot of explosives. I think we got a chance to tackle well. That's going to be the key to the game: tackle, keeping him in the pocket, and keeping explosive plays down."

Former first-rounder and nine-year vet Shaq Lawson is a possibility for elevation, Canales said. And Clowney will be patient, with an eye on the remainder of the season.

"You just don't want to be in a game thinking about the injury the whole time you're out there playing," Clowney admitted. "So we're giving it another week and trying to get ready for the rest of the season."

Friday update for Johnson

Things were looking better for wide receiver Diontae Johnson on Friday. After not practicing Wednesday or Thursday with an ankle issue, he was able to return to the field for the final practice of the week. Canales told reporters he wanted to see Johnson on the field Friday to feel comfortable moving forward to the game. Then, a freak move flared up an issue with his ribs, causing Johnson to leave practice early.

"He's moving around quickly, you know, and then something kind of like, tightened up on him and they just started looking at him and made sure like, OK, let's get on top of this," Canales explained.

"Now, the sooner we can start treating whatever it is, the sooner we know if we have him available for Sunday or not."

Johnson has now officially been listed as questionable. He listed as such last week as well, with just the ankle, and was still able to play, finishing with six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Canales had no further updates at the time, explaining he needed to go inside to speak with Johnson and trainers to gauge the severity.

On a more positive injury note, corner Dane Jackson practiced again on Friday, capping two weeks of work since his 21-day window to return was opened.

"He's just had two fantastic weeks," Canales bragged of the defensive back. "He stacked them up, he practiced Wednesday, Thursday, Friday for two weeks straight and he's looked great. So, it's just a matter of opportunity, roster wise, you know, actives, all those things right now."

Jackson is currently listed as questionable for Sunday.