Panthers release initial depth chart for Week 16 matchup vs. Buccaneers

This Sunday, the Carolina Panthers will play their most meaningful game in three years—as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming to town. Both teams sit at 7-7 and, with three weeks remaining, are tied atop the NFC South.

Carolina got their ducks in a row for the big matchup on Tuesday, with the release of their initial depth chart for Week 16.

Here, without any changes from last week, are the ranks for this weekend . . .

QuarterbackFirst string: Bryce YoungSecond string: Andy DaltonRunning backFirst string: Rico DowdleSecond string: Chuba HubbardThird string: Trevor EtienneWide receiverFirst string: Xavier Legette, Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen CokerSecond string: Jimmy Horn Jr., Brycen Tremayne, Hunter RenfrowTight endFirst string: Ja’Tavion SandersSecond string: Tommy TrembleThird string: Mitchell EvansFourth string: James MitchellLeft tackleFirst string: Ikem EkwonuLeft guardFirst string: Damien LewisSecond string: Jake CurhanCenterFirst string: Cade MaysSecond string: Nick SamacRight guardFirst string: Austin CorbettSecond string: Jake CurhanRight tackleFirst string: Taylor MotonSecond string: Yosh NijmanDefensive endFirst string: Derrick Brown, Tershawn WhartonSecond string: LaBryan Ray, Bobby Brown IIIThird string: Jared Harrison-HunteDefensive tackleFirst string: A’Shawn RobinsonSecond string: Cam JacksonOutside linebackerFirst string: D.J. Wonnum, Nic ScourtonSecond string: Princely Umanmielen, Thomas IncoomThird string: Trevis GipsonInside linebackerFirst string: Christian Rozeboom, Trevin WallaceSecond string: Bam Martin-Scott, Claudin CherelusThird string: Maema Njongmeta, Krys BarnesCornerbackFirst string: Jaycee Horn, Mike JacksonSecond string: Chau Smith-Wade, Akayleb EvansThird string: Robert RochellSafetyFirst string: Tre’von Moehrig, Nick ScottSecond string: Demani Richardson, Lathan RansomKick returnerFirst string: Trevor EtienneSecond string: Chuba HubbardThird string: Rico DowdleFourth string: Jimmy Horn Jr.Punt returnerFirst string: Trevor EtienneSecond string: Hunter RenfrowThird string: Jimmy Horn Jr.KickerFirst string: Ryan FitzgeraldPunterLong snapper

Carolina nearly went into this past Sunday’s tilt with the New Orleans Saints at full strength. But that changed on Saturday, when starting defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton was added to the injury report due to a hamstring issue.

Per head coach Dave Canales, Wharton tweaked his hamstring when he stepped on a teammate during the final walkthrough. He did not appear in the 20-17 loss the next day.

Canales and the Panthers are expected to provide an update on Wharton’s status tomorrow.

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