Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons Wednesday injury report

In just four days, the Carolina Panthers will open up their 2023 campaign on the road against the Atlanta Falcons.

Sunday also marks the official debut of Bryce Young, Carolina’s No. 1 overall selection in April’s NFL Draft. Who will Young have to work with on offense? Well, that’s still to be determined based on Wednesday’s injury report. Of the six players to pop up on the report, four are receivers.

Panthers Wednesday Injury Report

Did Not Practice: WR DJ Chark (Hamstring), DL DeShawn Williams (Illness)

Limited Participation: SAF Sam Franklin Jr. (Knee), WR Terrace Marshall Jr. (Back), WR Adam Thielen (Ankle)

Full Participation: WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette (Ankle)

Chark is the most notable absence, having sustained his hamstring injury during practice on Aug. 22. The injury wasn’t deemed to be serious, with the 26-year-old wideout saying he was optimistic about playing in Week 1. Chark, who signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Panthers this offseason, has hauled in 177 receptions for 2,544 yards and 18 touchdowns over the course of his career. He missed six games this past season with Detroit Lions due to an ankle injury. Chark underwent surgery on his ankle this offseason.

In addition to the foursome on the injury report, Carolina has Laviska Shenault Jr., and rookie Jonathan Mingo on the active roster, along with Derek Wright and Dezmon Patmon on the practice squad.

The Falcons, meanwhile, enter the NFC South matchup with a few players nursing injuries, most notably running back Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson hasn’t practiced since the middle of August, sidelined with a thigh ailment.

Falcons Wednesday Injury Report

Did Not Practice: CB Jeff Okudah (Ankle), TE Jonnu Smith (Rest)

Limited Participation: RB Cordarrelle Patterson (Thigh), WR KhaDarel Hodge (Ankle)

Elsewhere across the lineup, it’s very possible Carolina is without star edge rusher Brian Burns against Atlanta. The two sides continue to be at an impasse, with Burns sitting out Monday’s walkthrough in preparation for Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday. According to Will Kunkel of FOX 26 Houston, there hasn’t been any progress in contract negotiations, and Burns’ status for the Falcons game remains in question.

Head coach Frank Reich isn’t worried about Burns’ absence, and is moving forward in focusing on Atlanta.

“Do I hope he’s there vs. Atlanta? Absolutely,” Reich said Monday. “But if he’s not there, I’m not worried about it. Just move forward. We understand there’s a business side to this thing we do and I still respect and admire the way he handles himself.”