The Carolina Panthers’ already fragile defense may have finally hit a breaking point. After losing Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown for the season, the team announced that both starting inside linebackers, Josey Jewell (groin, hamstring) and Shaq Thompson (Achilles), will miss significant time. Jewell is expected to return in 2024, but Thompson’s torn Achilles will sideline him for the rest of the season, marking his second consecutive season-ending injury.
With a depleted linebacker corps, Carolina is desperate for reinforcements at the second level of their defense. Rookie standout Trevin Wallace and second-year pro Claudin Cherelus are projected to take the majority of snaps moving forward, while Jon Rhattigan remains the only other off-ball linebacker currently on the roster.
While scouring the free-agent market at this point in the season may seem less than ideal, the Panthers have little choice. Below are a few available options Carolina could explore to fill the void left by their injured starters:
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A hard-hitting linebacker with a wealth of NFL experience, Alexander made a name for himself by leading the league in solo tackles in 2016 and earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2017. He began his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but has since spent time with the 49ers, Saints, Jets, Steelers, and is currently on the Broncos practice squad.
Shaquille Leonard
Once one of the league’s premier inside linebackers, Leonard, a South Carolina native, earned four straight All-Pro selections from 2018-2021 with the Colts, excelling in both tackling and pass coverage. Though injuries have hindered his recent performance, a fresh start in Carolina could help Leonard recapture his form. Following a playing-time dispute in Indianapolis, Leonard would have no such issues in Carolina given the team’s current linebacker situation.
Phillips’ potential remains untapped due to a string of injuries. A third-round pick in 2020, he’s shown flashes of talent but has been plagued by a bicep and pectoral injury that cost him a starting job in Cleveland. With consistent playing time, the Panthers could be the team to unlock his best football.
