Carolina Panthers roster moves: DE Chris Wormley and LB Lamar Jackson elevated vs. Titans

Two recognizable names will be making their Carolina debuts on Sunday.

The Panthers elevated defensive end Chris Wormley and linebacker Lamar Jackson from the practice squad ahead of the team’s road contest against the Tennessee Titans at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Wormley was added to the Panthers’ practice squad after Week 1. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound 2017 third-round pick came to Carolina with 31 starts to his name, spending his first three seasons in Baltimore and then his last three in Pittsburgh.

His most productive year came in 2021, when he recorded seven sacks and a forced fumble in 15 games played. He underwent successful surgery to repair a torn ACL in December 2022 and is making his first return to game action since.

Lamar Jackson — no, not the MVP caliber quarterback, the cornerback — will get his shot on the defensive side of the ball against the Titans. This is the result of having a secondary in injured disrepair.

Jaycee Horn hasn’t played since Week 1 (though is now practicing with the team), CJ Henderson is in concussion protocol for his third straight game, and Henderson’s replacement, Dicaprio Bootle, was put on injured reserve earlier this week with a knee injury. Henderson and Horn were downgraded to “out” on Saturday after being “doubtful” earlier in the week.

The Panthers elected not to elevate wide receiver Mike Strachan for a third consecutive week after not being targeted once against the Dallas Cowboys. A new experiment thus begins with the Panthers’ struggling receiver room — outside of veteran wideout Adam Thielen, who’s enjoying a nice renaissance in Carolina.

Panthers injury report for Week 12

Out: TE Hayden Hurst (concussion protocol), DB Jeremy Chinn (quadriceps - IR), OLB Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring - IR), CB Jaycee Horn (hamstring - IR), CB CJ Henderson (concussion - IR).

Questionable: DB Sam Franklin (quadriceps), LB Frankie Luvu (shoulder), OLB Marquis Haynes (back)