NFL2 hours ago2 minute read

Panthers Secondary Takes Another Hit as Will Lee Suffers Hamstring Injury

Rookie cornerback Will Lee left Thursday's game with a hamstring injury, further depleting an already thin Carolina secondary.

The EagleEyeOdds deskWritten from the match data, checked against our model before it goes out

Hamstring injury sidelines rookie

The Carolina Panthers faced a steep test on Thursday night at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. Matters grew much more difficult when rookie cornerback Will Lee III went down during the second quarter.

Lee hurt his hamstring while trying to defend a deep pass down the field. Packers quarterback Jordan Love connected with wide receiver Christian Watson on a 53 yard play. Watson also suffered an injury on the catch, leaving the game with a chest issue that required a trip to a local hospital.

Carolina team medical personnel quickly ruled Lee doubtful to return to the contest. The Panthers trailed Green Bay 20-10 with 1:35 left on the clock in the second quarter when the injury happened.

Thin depth chart tested

The injury to Lee leaves Carolina searching for answers in a secondary that was already stretched thin. The team entered Thursday missing both of its primary starting cornerbacks. Jaycee Horn is out with a quad injury, while Mike Jackson is sidelined with a groin injury. Both Horn and Jackson are currently on injured reserve.

Carolina was also without fill in starter Akayleb Evans, who could not play because of a triceps injury. Those prior injuries had forced the coaching staff to reach deep down the roster before kickoff even arrived.

Because of the missing starters, the Panthers placed practice squad cornerback Marco Wilson into the opening lineup opposite Lee. Wilson found himself as the primary veteran presence left in the group once Lee exited.

Young cornerbacks enter the mix

With Lee out, Carolina was forced to turn to 2024 fifth round draft pick Chau Smith Wade for the remainder of the first half. Smith Wade had fallen down the rotation in recent weeks, as the coaching staff chose to use Lee, Evans, and Wilson ahead of him.

The Panthers also brought up rookie Malcolm DeWalt, who made his NFL debut on Thursday night. DeWalt was the only other healthy cornerback available on the entire roster at Lambeau Field. The defense had to finish the half relying on inexperienced options to slow down the Packers.

What it means for the next game

Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers (NFL, Sun, 08 Nov): Carolina Panthers win 42%, Denver Broncos win 58%; projected score Carolina Panthers 21, Denver Broncos 25. Our safest pick: Broncos +4.5.