The Carolina Panthers may have to dig even deeper in the middle of the defense.
Starting inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom, per Joe Person of The Athletic, stated on Tuesday that he’s unsure of his status for the team’s Week 12 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. The fifth-year veteran said that he was dealing with “other stuff” health-wise even before exiting Sunday’s 30-27 win over the Atlanta Falcons due to a hamstring injury.
This past weekend’s victory was also secured without fellow starting inside ‘backer Trevin Wallace, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Wallace did not participate in practice leading up to the Week 11 showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Missing both Rozeboom and Wallace on Monday night could spell doom for the Carolina defense, which will try to contain former Panthers running back and 2023 Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey currently leads the NFL with 267 touches this season.
Third-year veteran Claudin Cherelus started in Wallace’s stead in Atlanta. He is likely to get one of the two starting nods this week if Wallace and/or Rozeboom cannot go.
Carolina’s other options at the position include undrafted rookie Bam Martin-Scott, veteran Krys Barnes and Maema Njongmeta—who recorded five defensive snaps versus the Falcons.
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