CHARLOTTE — Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (illness) and left tackle Russell Okung (groin) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
Gross-Matos' illness is not COVID-19 related.
"I'm always concerned when someone's not out there. Yetur, as a young player, needs to practice, but his health always comes first," head coach Matt Rhule said ahead of this weekend's home game with the Cardinals.
"Whenever we get him back, we'll make a determination on if he's ready to play this week."
Okung missed one practice last week and was questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, but was ultimately inactive for the contest. He missed three games with a groin issue in 2019 but said last Thursday he didn't think there was a "direct correlation" between the injuries.
Defensive tackle Derrick Brown also missed Wednesday's practice, but his absence was not injury related. Rhule said Brown's situation was "all positive," but would let the rookie share it himself.
Rookie safety Jeremy Chinn (hip) was limited Wednesday.
The Panthers did get a few players back on the field, too. After missing the last two games, defensive tackle Kawann Short (foot) returned as a limited participant.
"We'll see how his foot responds tomorrow," Rhule said. "We'd love to have him out there with us."
Left guard Dennis Daley (ankle) was also back on a limited basis. He suffered a high ankle sprain during the last week of training camp and has been sidelined ever since.
Additionally, the Panthers designated wide receiver Keith Kirkwood (clavicle) and cornerback Eli Apple (hamstring) to return from the reserve/injured list, starting a 21-day practice window for each player. The Panthers may add Kirkwood and Apple to the roster any time between now and the end of the window.
"We just started to introduce them back into practice today," Rhule said. "Really, it's not even a matter of their injury as much as their conditioning and their injury."
The coaches will evaluate Kirkwood and Apple to see how they progress in those areas and the scheme. Rhule noted that the fit and need at their respective positions might also factor into when they're activated.
To view the entire Panthers injury report for Wednesday, you can click here.
