The Carolina Panthers will be without starting linebacker Devin Lloyd against the Cleveland Browns, as the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week has been ruled out with a calf injury.
Wide receivers Jalen Coker (ankle) and Xavier Legette (knee) are listed as questionable. Panthers coach Dave Canales said he expects Coker to play against the Browns, but Legette will be a game-time decision.
Lloyd is coming off one of the more impressive showings by a linebacker in the past decade. In the 34-3 win over the Atlanta Falcons, Lloyd produced nine total tackles, a sack, three pass breakups, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown. He did not practice this week.
The Panthers will rely on fellow starter Bobby Okereke to lead the defense with recently promoted veteran Tyrel Dodson seeing his first action of the season. Carolina also has rookie Jackson Kuwatch, a 2026 seventh-round pick, on the roster. Claudin Cherelus, a longtime special teams ace, was ruled out Friday with a shoulder injury. The team could elevate newly re-signed linebacker/special teams ace Maema Njongmeta from the practice squad to replace Cherelus on the depth chart.