Panthers Notebook: Derrick Brown Lost For Season; Jaycee Horn Remains Unblemished; NFL Roster Shuffle Continues

Scanning the Caesars Superdome field Sunday, Alvin Kamara noticed linebacker Eku Leota was engaged with a blocker in the backfield so the New Orleans Saints running back darted for the edge. Along the Carolina Panthers’ defensive front, Derrick Brown hustled down the line. But along the way, he tripped up safety Xavier Woods, who stumbled into and knocked down linebacker Josey Jewell.

Suddenly, with three pursuing defenders taking each other out, Kamara exploited an open end. He rambled 17 yards to the Panthers’ 5-yard line. Two plays later, quarterback David Carr hit Foster Moreau for a 3-yard touchdown pass, giving the Saints a 17-0, first-quarter lead. The Saints scored on their opening nine possessions, en route to a 47-10 romp.

But things just got worse for the Panthers.

Brown, the face of the defense entering Week 1 of the NFL regular season, remained in the uneven match until late in the fourth quarter. The Pro Bowler appeared in 60 of 66 plays. Monday morning, Brown complained of knee soreness. The Panthers on Tuesday placed Brown on injured reserve.

Nearly five months after signing a four-year, $96 million contract extension, with $63 million guaranteed, Brown’s campaign ended after one start. In 2023, Brown established a league record for tackles by a defensive lineman (103).

“Definitely a huge loss, right?” coach Dave Canales said, per Panthers.com. “He’s one of our best players. That’s big shoes to fill, but at the same time, we’ve got players in there, I want them to know and be encouraged.”

A’Shawn Robinson and Shy Tuttle likely will remain starters for Sunday’s homer homer against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Panthers also had Nick Thurman, Jayden Peevy, and LaBryan Ray on their roster and announced the signing of DeShawn Williams on Tuesday.

Panthers’ CB Jaycee Horn Defends Stats

With the third quarter closing and the Saints leading by 27 points, Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn walked over to trash-talk Derek Carr.

The Saints quarterback held up three fingers and responded: “I got three touchdowns on you.”

Well, that’s not accurate.

Yes, Carr’s opening-drive 59-year touchdown pass to wideout Rashid Shaheed may have developed with Carr in coverage, but it wasn’t the whole story. The defensive scheme called for safety Jordan Fuller to transition back and pick up the deep coverage.

It would help explain Horn’s gestures immediately after the play.

Pro Football Focus did not credit one passing target against Horn.

Panthers Make More Roster Moves

Williams, who appeared in 16 games with the Panthers last season, signed a practice-squad deal and was joined by cornerback Azizi Hearn. The openings were created when running back Mike Boone and cornerback Lonnie Johnson were elevated to the 53-man roster. Both are expected to fill special teams’ needs.

Outside linebacker Jamie Sheriff was waived.