Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns

Injuries noted

Carolina Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu (PUP-R) — Ekwonu (knee) was moved to the Panthers' reserve/PUP list Sunday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.; Taylor Moton (NFI-R) — The Panthers transferred Moton to the reserve/non-football illness list Sunday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.; Tershawn Wharton (PUP-R) — Wharton (neck) was moved to the reserve/PUP list by the Panthers on Sunday, Darin Gantt of the team's official website reports.; Nic Scourton (IR) — Knee - ACL; Chris Brazzell II (IR) — Knee; Brady Christensen (IR) — The Panthers placed Christensen (hamstring) on injured reserve Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.; Trevor Etienne (IR-R) — ir; Bam Martin-Scott (IR-R) — The Panthers placed Martin-Scott (hamstring) on injured reserve with a designation to return Sunday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.; Patrick Jones II (Questionable) — questionable; Jalen Coker (Questionable) — Coker (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Cleveland, is in line to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.; Bobby Brown III (Questionable) — questionable; Nick Scott (Out) — Scott (ribs) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Browns.; Claudin Cherelus (IR) — The Panthers placed Cherelus (shoulder) on injured reserve Saturday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.; Jonathon Brooks (IR) — Brooks is expected to undergo surgery Wednesday to repair a core-muscle injury and is likely to miss at least six weeks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.; Devin Lloyd (Out) — Lloyd (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Browns.; Jaelan Phillips (Questionable) — Phillips (back) did not practice Wednesday.; Xavier Legette (Questionable) — Legette (knee) was listed as a non-participant at Thursday's practice.

Cleveland Browns: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (PUP-R) — out; Kendrick Green (IR) — ir; Damarri Mathis (IR) — Undisclosed; Elijah Chatman (IR) — The Browns reverted Chatman (quadriceps) to IR on Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.; Kalia Davis (IR) — The Browns placed Davis on injured reserve Tuesday due to a quadriceps injury.; Dillon Gabriel (IR-R) — ir; Joe Royer (NFI-R) — The Browns placed Royer (personal) on the reserve/non-football illness list Sunday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.; Edefuan Ulofoshio (IR) — Ulofoshio (biceps) reverted to the Browns' IR on Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.; Alex Wright (IR) — The Browns placed Wright on injured reserve Sunday due to a ruptured Achilles, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.; Teven Jenkins (Out) — Jenkins (back) is listed as out for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.; Dylan Sampson (IR) — Sampson (knee) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.; Tyson Campbell (Questionable) — Campbell (ankle/hip/knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.; Grant Delpit (Questionable) — Delpit (shoulder) said he will play in Sunday's game against the Panthers, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.; Mason Graham (Questionable) — questionable; Tytus Howard (Questionable) — questionable; Quincy Williams (Questionable) — questionable

QUARTERBACK

• Bryce Young is the projected starting quarterback for CAR

  8.88 Y/A

  Through 2 games in 2026, Bryce Young threw for 648 passing yards, completed 63% of his passes and averaged 8.88 yards per attempt. Last season over 16 games he threw for 3011 yards, completed 63.6% and averaged 6.3 yards per attempt, 23-11 touchdowns to interceptions. This season's 6-1 touchdown-to-interception line is 2 games in.

• Deshaun Watson is the projected starting quarterback for CLE

  8.52 Y/A

  Through 2 games in 2026, Deshaun Watson threw for 443 passing yards, completed 76.9% of his passes and averaged 8.52 yards per attempt. His 3-1 touchdown-to-interception line rounds out the current sample without turning an early-season profile into a settled one.

TRENCHES

• CLE: 131.5 rushing yards allowed per game to CAR's 224

  92.5 YPG

  Cleveland has allowed less rushing production than Carolina through 2 games, while Carolina's number points to a defense that has been easier to run on early. The sample is only 2 games, with no opponent or game-script detail to show whether either result travels. The matchup makes rushing volume and efficiency worth separating from the raw split.

• CAR: 4.4 yards per rush attempt to CLE's 2.95

  1.45 Y/C

  CAR is at 4.4 yards per rush attempt over 2 games; CLE is at 2.95 over 2 games. Those are this season's games through Sep 26. Last season CAR was at 4.16 over 17 games and CLE at 3.9 over 17 games.

• CAR: 96.5 rushing yards per game to CLE's 65.5

  31 YPG

  CAR is at 96.5 rushing yards per game over 2 games; CLE is at 65.5 over 2 games. Those are this season's games through Sep 26. Last season CAR was at 116.3 over 17 games and CLE at 97 over 17 games.

PASS RUSH

• CAR: 2.5 sacks recorded per game to CLE's 2

  0.5 SACKS

  CAR is at 2.5 sacks recorded per game over 2 games; CLE is at 2 over 2 games. Those are what each defense has allowed in this season's games through Sep 26.

PACE & SCRIPT

• CAR: 35.5 points per game to CLE's 16.5

  19 PPG

  Carolina is scoring at nearly double Cleveland's rate through 2 games, with its 35.5 far above 18.3 last season. Cleveland's 16.5 is almost identical to its 16.4 last-season mark, so the early change is mostly on Carolina's side. This matchup turns on whether Carolina's scoring surge can dictate the pace before Cleveland settles into its usual output.

• CAR: 61 offensive plays per game to CLE's 52

  9 PLAYS

  CAR is at 61 offensive plays per game over 2 games; CLE is at 52 over 2 games. Those are this season's games through Sep 26. Last season CAR was at 59.5 over 17 games and CLE at 60.6 over 17 games.

• CLE: 26.5 points allowed per game to CAR's 31

  4.5 PPG

  CAR is at 31 points allowed per game over 2 games; CLE is at 26.5 over 2 games. Those are this season's games through Sep 26. Last season CAR was at 22.4 over 17 games and CLE at 22.3 over 17 games.

TURNOVERS

• CAR: 3 takeaways per game to CLE's 0.5

  2.5 TO

  Carolina has created takeaways at a much higher rate than Cleveland through 2 games. Turnovers can swing sharply in a two-game sample, and there is no opponent or quarterback context here to show how repeatable the gap is. For this game, give the takeaway edge weight when judging possession volatility, not as a stable team identity yet.

• CLE: 1 turnover committed per game to CAR's 1.5

  0.5 TO

  CAR is at 1.5 turnovers committed per game over 2 games; CLE is at 1 over 2 games. Those are this season's games through Sep 26. Last season CAR was at 1.35 over 17 games and CLE at 1.47 over 17 games.

• CLE: 0.5 fumbles lost per game to CAR's 1

  0.5 FUM

  CAR is at 1 fumbles lost per game over 2 games; CLE is at 0.5 over 2 games. Those are this season's games through Sep 26. Last season CAR was at 0.65 over 17 games and CLE at 0.41 over 17 games.

EXPLOSIVE PLAYS

• CAR: 6.7 yards per play to CLE's 5.25

  1.45 Y/P

  Carolina has created more per snap through 2 games, with Bryce Young connecting with Xavier Legette and Tetairoa McMillan on long plays in its last game. Carolina is well above its 4.92 from last season, while Cleveland is above its 4.33. Big plays are lifting the early number, so this matchup tests whether Carolina can keep finding explosives in Cleveland.

RED ZONE

• CAR: 70% red-zone scoring rate to CLE's 20%

  50 PP

  Carolina has finished drives far more often near the goal line, while Cleveland has converted only 20% of its red-zone chances. Both rates come from 2 games, and Carolina is above its 53.3% last season while Cleveland is well below 52.6%. Red-zone results can swing quickly, so the useful angle is whether Cleveland gets enough trips to overcome the finishing gap.

• CLE: 50% red-zone scoring allowed to CAR's 100%

  50 PP

  Cleveland has allowed fewer red-zone scores than Carolina through 2 games, while Carolina has allowed scores on every red-zone trip. Red-zone results are based on few possessions in a two-game sample, and the sheet gives no opponent context. In this matchup, use the gap to frame finishing chances rather than assume either defense owns the red zone.

• CAR: 5 red-zone trips per game to CLE's 2.5

  2.5 TRIPS

  CAR is at 5 red-zone trips per game over 2 games; CLE is at 2.5 over 2 games. Those are this season's games through Sep 26. Last season CAR was at 2.65 over 17 games and CLE at 2.24 over 17 games.

MISMATCH

• CAR: 312.5 pass yards a game to CLE's 204

  312.5 VS 204

  Carolina is throwing for 312.5 yards a game through 2 games, well ahead of Cleveland's 204. Carolina was at 179.3 last season and Cleveland at 165.2, so the gap reflects a fast start rather than a long-established identity. Cleveland needs to avoid letting Carolina's passing game control the game flow, while bettors can focus on whether that 2-game volume holds against this opponent.

COVERAGE

• CLE: 46.2% third downs allowed to CAR's 51.9%

  5.7 PP

  CAR is at 51.9% third downs allowed over 2 games; CLE is at 46.2% over 2 games. Those are what each defense has allowed in this season's games through Sep 26.

REPLACEMENT

• Jalen Coker (WR) is questionable for CAR

  QUESTIONABLE

  Coker is questionable with a quadriceps injury, but he does not believe it is serious. The report offers no practice update or replacement workload, so his game status remains the key detail for Carolina at Cleveland. Bettors should wait for the inactive list before assigning any target shift.

• Jonathon Brooks (RB) is on injured reserve for CAR

  IR

  Brooks is on injured reserve with a core-muscle injury and is expected to have surgery Wednesday. He is likely to miss at least six weeks, taking him out of Carolina's backfield plans at Cleveland and beyond. The report does not identify who takes his carries or targets.

• Dylan Sampson (RB) is on injured reserve for CLE

  IR

  Sampson is on injured reserve with a knee injury after Cleveland made the move Tuesday. He is unavailable against Carolina, taking a Browns running back out of the backfield rotation.

• Claudin Cherelus (LB) is on injured reserve for CAR

  IR

  Cherelus is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury after Carolina placed him there Saturday. He is unavailable at Cleveland, leaving the Panthers without a linebacker for this matchup.

PRACTICE REPORT

• Jalen Coker

  Out

  Ankle · Limited practice · Out

• Teven Jenkins

  Out

  Back · Did not practice · Out

• Nick Scott

  Out

  Rib · Did not practice · Out

• Devin Lloyd

  Out

  Calf · Did not practice · Out

• Grant Delpit

  Questionable

  Shoulder · Limited practice · Questionable

• Tyson Campbell

  Questionable

  Ankle, Not injury related - other · Limited practice · Questionable

• Xavier Legette

  Questionable

  Knee · Limited practice · Questionable

• Maliek Collins

  LP

  Limited practice

• Mason Graham

  FP

  Full practice

• Jerry Jeudy

  FP

  Full practice

• Zion Johnson

  FP

  Full practice

• Elgton Jenkins

  FP

  Full practice

• Jaelan Phillips

  FP

  Full practice

• Quinshon Judkins

  FP

  Full practice

• Darren Waller

  FP

  Full practice

• Patrick Jones II

  FP

  Full practice

• Bobby Brown III

  FP

  Full practice

• Quincy Williams

  FP

  Full practice

• Tytus Howard

  FP

  Full practice

• Dawand Jones

  FP

  Full practice

• Parker Brailsford

  FP

  Full practice

SITUATIONAL

• CAR: 312.5 team passing yards per game to CLE's 204

  108.5 YPG

  Carolina has opened with a passing attack that produces far more per game than Cleveland's, a major shift from last season's 179.3. Cleveland is also above its 165.2 last-season number, but trails well behind after 2 games. The gap can matter if Carolina keeps the game in a pass-heavy script and makes Cleveland match its pace.

• CAR: 43.5% third-down conversion rate to CLE's 28.6%

  14.9 PP

  CAR is at 43.5% third-down conversion rate over 2 games; CLE is at 28.6% over 2 games. Those are this season's games through Sep 26. Last season CAR was at 36.1% over 17 games and CLE at 33.6% over 17 games.

• CAR: 21 first downs per game to CLE's 14.5

  6.5 FD

  CAR is at 21 first downs per game over 2 games; CLE is at 14.5 over 2 games. Those are this season's games through Sep 26. Last season CAR was at 18 over 17 games and CLE at 15.8 over 17 games.

• CAR (1-1) at CLE (1-1)

  -29 PT GAP

  Carolina and Cleveland have the same 1-1 record, yet their point margins point in different directions: Carolina is +9 and Cleveland is -20. Carolina won its only road game, while Cleveland has no home result listed, leaving little evidence for a venue edge. The Panthers' margin gives them the stronger early case, though this is only a two-game sample for both teams.

• CAR: 8 yards per pass attempt to CLE's 6.95

  1.05 Y/A

  CAR is at 8 yards per pass attempt over 2 games; CLE is at 6.95 over 2 games. Those are this season's games through Sep 26. Last season CAR was at 5.47 over 17 games and CLE at 4.78 over 17 games.

AFTER GARY

• CAR -2.5 → -2.5

  GARY +0.24PP

  Gary's number was -2.5; the market closed at -2.5.