Carolina Panthers update status of DJ Moore vs. Tampa Bay in final injury report

The Carolina Panthers are unsure if they will have their top wide receiver when they play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

For now, it will be a wait-and-see approach for DJ Moore, who was limited in practice on Friday and is officially listed as questionable vs. the Bucs according to the team’s final injury report.

Earlier this week, Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Moore would be a game-time decision.

The other notable news for the Carolina Panthers comes on the defensive side of the ball. Rookie defensive end Phil Hoskins did not practice Friday and is also listed as questionable after leaving Thursday’s practice with a back injury.

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore was a full-go at practice on Friday and he isn’t listed on the injury report.

Carolina Panthers release Thursday injury report

The Panthers have released their Thursday injury report for a Week 16 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It is a small list of players, but there are a couple of big names included.

Receiver DJ Moore (hamstring) is the only Panther to not practice on both Wednesday and Thursday. Moore was limited in practice all of last week with the same injury but ultimately played against Buffalo. He finished that game with six catches for 48 yards.

Four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore (knee) also finds himself on the injury report. Gilmore underwent surgery in the offseason and didn’t make his season debut until Week 8 against Carolina. He began the season in New England before being traded to the Carolina Panthers.

Fortunately for Carolina, Gilmore logged a limited practice session Thursday after being held our Wednesday. He played 68 of 70 defensive snaps this past week, so seems to be in good shape.

Defensive tackle Phil Hoskins (back) was a new addition to the injury report Thursday. He practiced in a limited fashion, casting some doubt onto his status against Tampa Bay. Should he be held out, the Carolina Panthers would be extremely thin at the position. Fellow defensive tackle Derrick Brown is one of the players on the COVID-19 reserves list.

Offensive tackle Cameron Erving (calf) is also once again on the injury report. He practiced in a limited fashion on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Buccaneers have a much longer list of players on their injury report for the matchup with the Panthers. Key names such as Mike Evans (hamstring), Leonard Fournette (hamstring/ankle), and Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder) did not practice on Thursday.

Sunday’s game represents a big opportunity for both teams. Tampa Bay (10-4) still has a chance at the top seed in the NFC. They are currently behind Green Bay (11-3) and Dallas (10-4). The Carolina Panthers (5-9) are fighting simply to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.