ABOUT THIS EPISODE
The Carolina Panthers are on their Week 5 bye, but Dan Morgan's phone isn't. On today's episode of Two Growls One Roar, we break down every roster move, every tryout, and the trade targets that make sense at cornerback and running back before Week 6 in Philadelphia.
We start with the transaction wire. The Panthers waived RB Tre Tyus and released OLB Jeremiah Moon, CB Robert Rochell and OL Isaia Glass from the practice squad. Coming in: CB Marco Wilson, a veteran with 37 career starts, and OLB Nic Hampton, a familiar face from this year's camp. With Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson both on injured reserve, the Wilson signing tells you exactly where the concern is.
Then we run through the full tryout list. TE Devin Culp, LB Cade Denhoff, TE Rivaldo Fairweather (the best football name in the league?), DB Jalen Kimber, LB Dasan McCullough, DB Kobee Minor, former Gamecocks TE Joshua Simon, and DB Ambry Thomas all came through Charlotte. Four of the nine tryouts were defensive backs. That's not a coincidence.
Next up is the cornerback trade board. Joey Porter Jr. is off the market after Pittsburgh sent him to Dallas, so who's left? We make the case for a Donte Jackson homecoming from the Chargers. He's a former Panther, he's on an expiring deal, and he's coming off a four-interception season. We also look at Keisean Nixon, Kristian Fulton, Chidobe Awuzie, Kelee Ringo and the free agent route with Marshon Lattimore and Tre'Davious White.
Then the running back debate. Dave Canales says Trevor Etienne will "for sure" be back after the bye, and a lot of fans want to cross RB off the shopping list. Not so fast. With Jonathon Brooks recovering from core muscle surgery and Tyus gone, Chuba Hubbard is carrying the load. Is Titans RB Tony Pollard, a four-time 1,000-yard rusher on an expiring deal, the insurance policy this team needs for a playoff push? We also run through other names floated in deadline chatter.
Finally, the medical waiting room. Taylor Moton (blood clot) and Turk Wharton (neck) both need medical clearance before they return, though Moton is trending the right way. Canales is hopeful on Jaelan Phillips and Monroe Freeling for Philly. We also cover the rest of the injury report, including Ikem Ekwonu's PUP timeline.
The NFL trade deadline is November 10. Should the Panthers make a move now, and should it be a corner or a running back? Let us know in the comments.
