The Carolina Panthers are monitoring the starting wide receiver Jalen Coker's quadriceps injury ahead of their Week 4 "Sunday Night Football" matchup with the Detroit Lions.
Coker, who missed the entire second half of Carolina's Week 3 loss to the Cleveland Browns, was listed as questionable on the final injury report Friday. The team's leading receiver has 18 catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns through three games.
According to coach Dave Canales, practice-squad receiver Ja'seem Reed will make his NFL debut against the visiting Lions if Coker is unable to play. The team will monitor Coker throughout the weekend to determine whether or not he will be available.
Reed caught seven passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns in three preseason games. He spent the entirety of last season on the Panthers' practice squad.
The Panthers already have ruled out receiver Xavier Legette (knee) for Sunday. He will miss his second consecutive game, with Brycen Tremayne and John Metchie III set to fill his void in the lineup. Reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan might be asked to lead a group of several fill-in playmakers against Detroit.
Along with Legette, Carolina ruled out starting left guard Damien Lewis (elbow), who will be replaced by recent waiver-wire pickup Corey Bullock.
Starting right tackle Monroe Freeling is in the final stage of the NFL concussion protocol, according to Canales. He must be cleared by an independent physician this weekend in order to play, but Canales said the Panthers will do whatever is in the best interest of Freeling. He ditched his red non-contact jersey in practice Friday and worked with teammates in a full capacity to end the week.
Carolina also has listed defensive linemen Lee Hunter (foot) and Cam Jackson (knee) as questionable.