Carolina Panthers update status of key offensive player

The Carolina Panthers have designated left tackle Cameron Erving to return from the injured reserve, which will give him a 21-day practice window before the team officially reinstates him to the active roster. Erving can practice this week with the Panthers.

A 6-foot-5, 315-pound left tackle out of Florida State, Erving – who’s in his seventh season in the NFL – injured his calf in a Week 9 loss to the New England Patriots. He was placed on the injured reserve back on Nov. 8 and hasn’t played in a game since.

With Erving sidelined, the Panthers have started Dennis Daley – a third-year offensive guard out of South Carolina – in his place.

Currently sitting at 5-7 on the season, Carolina returns to action Sunday at home against the Atlanta Falcons. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on FOX.

Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule comments on firing of OC Joe Brady

Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule has made his first public comments after firing offensive coordinator Joe Brady on Sunday.

According to Rhule, he said he planned to meet with Brady – the former LSU passing game coordinator who coached standout quarterback Joe Burrow – on Saturday, but the coach wasn’t available. Rhule said Brady was a “great young coach” and “consummate professional.”

Rhule also spoke Monday about the decision to hire the college coach.

“I decided to be bold, and step outside my comfort zone,” Rhule said, but he also noted that he doesn’t view the hire as a mistake.

Brady was hired by the Panthers in January of 2020 after he spent a year on LSU’s coaching staff as the Tigers’ passing game coordinator. He earned the Broyles Award in 2019, given to college football’s top assistant coach. That season, LSU went undefeated and had one of the best offenses in the history of college football on its way to a national championship.

Brady’s offense with the Panthers has struggled this season. Carolina ranks bottom five with 308.7 yards per game, 197.4 passing yards per game, and in the bottom half of the NFL with 19.7 points per game.

The Panthers started strong, but once quarterback Sam Darnold began to struggle, it all went downhill. Carolina is 5-7 on the season and coming off of a 33-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins.