D.J. Chark returns to practice for Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers returned wide receiver D.J. Chark to practice on Thursday after the former LSU star suffered an elbow injury in Sunday’s win over the Houston Texans. Though he made it back to practice, he was still a limited participant, keeping him questionable for Week 9 against Indianapolis.

The Panthers signed Chark this offseason after the wideout had spent a year with the Detroit Lions. He was originally drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars out of LSU in 2018.

So far this season, he has 15 catches on 31 targets for 220 yards and two touchdowns. Chark last scored at the beginning of October against the Detroit Lions. Last week, prior to injury, he posted two catches for 23 yards.

Injuries have been a big obstacle for Chark in his career, as the wideout has yet to play in a full slate of games in a season. After playing in four games during an injury-plagued 2021, Chark played in 11 contests for the Lions last season, starting 10.

He has shown the ability to be a real threat in the passing game when healthy, though. In his second season as a pro in 2019, Chark played a career-high 15 games and hauled in 73 passes for 1008 yards and eight touchdowns. He earned a Pro Bowl nod for his 2019 campaign.

Although the Panthers returned Chark to action for practice, three others remained sidelined. Wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., outside linebacker Justin Houston, and linebacker Claudin Cherelus did not practice Thursday, making them questionable for Sunday’s game against the Colts.

The final list of inactives for the Week 9 matchup will come out an hour and a half before kickoff on Sunday, which is 4:05 p.m. ET. Here’s who was in and who was out for practice on Thursday for the Panthers and Colts.

Panthers Thursday Injury Report

WR DJ Chark (Elbow) – Limited
WR Laviska Shenault (Ankle) – DNP
OLB Justin Houston (Hamstring) – DNP
LB Claudin Cherelus (Knee) – DNP
CB Troy Hill (Illness) – Full
TE Hayden Hurst (Illness) – Full
OT Taylor Moton (Knee) – Limited
S Vonn Bell (Quad) – Limited
LB Brian Burns (Elbow) – Limited
G Austin Corbett (Knee) – Limited
LB Frankie Luvu (Hip) – Limited
LB Chandler Wooten (Hamstring) – Limited
RB Raheem Blackshear (Groin) – Full
FS Xavier Woods (Abdomen) – Limited
OT Cade Mays (Ankle) – Full

Colts Thursday Injury Report

CB Juju Brents (Quad) – DNP
LB Zaire Franklin (Knee) – DNP
DE Dayo Odeyingbo (Shoulder/Toe) – Limited
T Braden Smith (Hip/Wrist) – DNP
TE Kylen Granson (Concussion) – Full
DT Eric Johnson (Ankle) – Full
T Blake Freeland (Back) – DNP
WR Josh Downs (Knee) – Limited