Carolina Panthers injury report: Latest on Diontae Johnson, Josey Jewell, Shaq Thompson, and more for Week 5

Carolina Panthers come into Week 5 on the back of a 1-3 record. After the season's opening two games yielded losses with Bryce Young as the starting quarterback, it seemed to confirm this was the worst team in the league. But Andy Dalton took over in Week 3 and has recorded one win and one defeat showcasing that there might be some fight and pride left in the players yet.

Last week's loss to the Bengals was a hard one to take for the fans. Their defensive struggles became their undoing as they conceded 34 points while scoring only 24. In Week 5 they are up against the Chicago Bears, who have not been entirely convincing despite their 2-2 record.

The Panthers will hope that they can record a win against a team that is struggling on the offense and change the narrative that has taken hold since the offseason that Chicago fleeced Carolina by sending them Bryce Young last year in return for a much better quarterback pick in Caleb Williams in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, if they are to do so, they will need to overcome some injuries and dig deep.

Carolina Panthers injury report for Week 5

The Carolina Panthers are struggling with a long injury list. Three players are confirmed out while multiple others are questionable.

Center Andrew Raym is definitely out with a concussion and it is expected to affect the offensive line depth. Starting right guard Robert Hunt has also been limited in practice all throughout the week nursing a hip injury and is questionable. There's better news on the left guard front as starter Damien Lewis returned to full practice for the last session as he fought through an elbow injury.

All of those injuries will worry Andy Dalton and the kind of time he will have in the pocket against the Bears' defense. if they have to win, the Panthers' defense will have to shine but there are concerns there as well. Linebacker Charles Harris is questionable with a shoulder injury. Defensive tackle Shy Tuttle is also doubtful with a foot issue.

The secondary is not faring much better either with safety Nick Scott scheduled to return to the game on the back of a shoulder injury, but cornerback Dane Jackson was not so lucky with his hamstring issue. He remains questionable after being limited in practice all week. Lonnie Johnson is also contending with a hip injury but the corner should be available in Week 5.

In terms of Andy Dalton's offensive weapons, running back Miles Sanders and tight end Tommy Tremble should be cleared to go after overcoming illness and a knee injury, respectively. Wide receiver Jalen Coker is questionable but that was not the biggest concern in that position during this week.

Diontae Johnson's injury status

The biggest concern surrounding the Panthers in Week 5 was around Diontae Johnson. He remains the star wide receiver and was battling an ankle injury earlier in the week. Concerns were exacerbated when he missed practice on Wednesday but he returned in a limited way for the next two days.

He has 205 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games with Andy Dalton, after recording no scores and just 34 yards in the first two matches. Carolina needs him if they are to get going on offense and he looks good to go as per the injury report.

Josey Jewell's injury status

The Carolina Panthers will have to do well on offense because their defense is struggling, especially in the middle of the field. Beyond the names already mentioned, both starting middle linebackers are out this week.

Josey Jewell is out with an injury to his hamstring and groin. He did not practice all week and is out for Week 5. Rookie Trevin Wallace will be tasked with leading in that position.

Shaq Thompson's injury status

Shaq Thompson is also out for Week 5 against the Bears for the Carolina Panthers. He is battling an Achilles issue and did not practice all week. Along with Josey Jewell, he is the other starter in the middle of the field and that leaves a massive gap to fill. Claudin Cherelus is expected to come in and fill that spot.