Panthers activate Moton, Wharton and Etienne before Eagles game

Carolina activated Taylor Moton, Tershawn Wharton and Trevor Etienne to its 53-man roster Saturday before leaving for Philadelphia, the Panthers announced. All three remain questionable for Sunday’s game despite practicing fully throughout the week.

Moton’s activation gives Carolina another option at right tackle with Monroe Freeling doubtful because of a knee injury. The club also elevated running back Anthony Tyus III and cornerback Robert Rochell from the practice squad. Tyus adds backfield depth with AJ Dillon out; Rochell joins a roster carrying three cornerbacks.

Panthers Wire’s Anthony Rizzuti also reported the activations and elevations Saturday. The new moves complete the roster decisions that remained open in Friday’s reporting. They do not remove the three players’ questionable game designations.

Earlier reporting

Carolina activated Trevor Etienne from injured reserve Friday, according to ESPN's transaction log. The running back practiced fully throughout the week as the Panthers prepared for Sunday's game at Philadelphia.

Coach Dave Canales said Friday that Etienne would be activated, The Charlotte Observer's Alex Zietlow reported alongside video of the coach's remarks. The transaction entry records the move beyond that stated plan.

The Panthers' final injury report still lists Taylor Moton and Tershawn Wharton as questionable. Both practiced fully all week, but that report did not announce either player's activation. Moton is returning from blood clots and Wharton from a neck injury.

AJ Dillon is out with an ankle injury, and rookie right tackle Monroe Freeling is doubtful with a knee injury. Damien Lewis and Jaelan Phillips are questionable. Carolina said it planned to elevate running back Tre Tyus from the practice squad; an announced plan does not establish that the elevation has been completed.

Earlier reporting

Taylor Moton and Tershawn Wharton are questionable for Sunday's game at Philadelphia after practicing fully Friday. Both remain in their return-to-practice windows and had not been activated when the Panthers issued their final injury report.

Moton is returning from blood clots and Wharton from a neck injury. Running back Trevor Etienne, who is recovering from an ankle injury, also practiced fully and is questionable. Coach Dave Canales said Friday he expects Etienne to be activated, Panthers Wire's Anthony Rizzuti reported; the coach did not confirm a decision on Moton or Wharton.

Carolina ruled out running back AJ Dillon with an ankle injury after he missed the entire practice week. Rookie right tackle Monroe Freeling is doubtful with a knee injury. Guard Damien Lewis and outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips are questionable with elbow and hamstring injuries, respectively, as Rizzuti also reported.

Bryce Young, Jalen Coker, Darren Waller and Tommy Tremble have no game designations. Carolina listed every player except Dillon and Freeling as a full participant Friday.

Earlier reporting: October 12

Canales said Monday that Carolina planned to open practice windows for Moton and Wharton after the bye. Before that announcement, the coach had said their physical preparation had progressed while they awaited medical clearance.

NFL: Monday injury updates · Medical clearance before the bye · NBC: Carolina plans practice returns

The distinction follows Canales’ comments before the bye. In the team’s October 5 report, he said Moton and Wharton had reached the point where the staff had pushed their physical preparation as far as it could, while medical clearance remained necessary. Monday’s planned return to practice is a further step from that earlier position.

Carolina’s offensive line has other injuries to work around. Rookie tackle Monroe Freeling hurt his knee in the Week 4 win over Detroit, while left tackle Ikem Ekwonu has continued recovering from a patellar tendon tear. The team’s October 5 account said Ekwonu still had more work ahead in the return program.

Moton’s progress would give the Panthers another option at tackle, while Wharton’s return would add a veteran to the defensive front. Their actual workloads and any subsequent activation decisions will show how quickly those options become available.

Sources

NFL: Monday injury updates · Medical clearance before the bye · NBC: Carolina plans practice returns