The Carolina Panthers will be without starting linebacker Devin Lloyd against the Cleveland Browns, as the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week has been ruled out with a calf injury.
Wide receivers Jalen Coker (ankle) and Xavier Legette (knee) are listed as questionable. Panthers coach Dave Canales said he expected Coker to play against the Browns, but Legette will be a game-time decision.
Lloyd is coming off one of the more impressive showings by a linebacker in the past decade. In the 34-3 win over the Atlanta Falcons, Lloyd produced nine total tackles, a sack, three pass breakups, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown. He did not practice this week.
The Panthers will rely on fellow starter Bobby Okereke to lead the defense with recently promoted veteran Tyrel Dodson seeing his first action of the season. Carolina also has rookie Jackson Kuwatch, a 2026 seventh-round pick, on the roster. Claudin Cherelus, a longtime special teams ace, was ruled out Friday with a shoulder injury. The team could elevate newly re-signed linebacker/special teams ace Maema Njongmeta from the practice squad to replace Cherelus on the depth chart.
Coker leads the Panthers with 204 receiving yards and two touchdowns through two games. He sustained his ankle injury in the first quarter of Week 1's loss to the Chicago Bears but he hasn't missed any time. He was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, didn't practice Thursday and was limited again Friday.
Legette is coming off his best performance in quite some time. He caught two passes for 64 yards against the Falcons, including a 55-yard snag that set up a touchdown score before halftime. Legette practiced Wednesday but was held out of Thursday's workout. He participated in a limited capacity Friday.
Along with Lloyd and Cherelus, safety Nick Scott (rib) was ruled out for Sunday's matchup against Cleveland. Scott is expected to be replaced by the young combination of Lathan Ransom, a 2025 fourth-round pick, and Zakee Wheatley, a 2026 fifth-round pick. Wheatley forced a fumble on his first career play from scrimmage last week against the Falcons.
Outside linebacker Patrick Jones II, who missed the first two games with a back injury, will make his season debut against the Browns after being left off the final injury report.