Panthers add a starter to COVID-19 list; Cam Newton and P.J. Walker to travel with team

The Carolina Panthers have added defensive tackle Derrick Brown to its reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Saturday.

He is the third player this week to be added to the list, joining running back Christian McCaffrey and quarterback Matt Barkley.

Brown’s absence will be a big loss for the Panthers, who play the Buffalo Bills on Sunday and have to defend one of the best passing attacks in the NFL behind quarterback Josh Allen.

The Panthers will likely start defensive tackles DaQuan Jones and Bravvion Roy, while Phil Hoskins will serve as a backup.

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has become a major issue for teams across the league in recent weeks.

The Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams and Washington Football Team are all dealing with major outbreaks. More than 22 players for each team are on their reserve/COVID-19 list and have tested positive. Their games have all been postponed.

The Panthers have so far escaped a major outbreak, however, they’ve been on high alert as the NFL has altered protocols.

Because of Barkley’s COVID-19 designation, the Panthers’ quarterback room, including Cam Newton and P.J. Walker, have had to test daily all week because they were close contacts.

Both Walker and Newton are currently the only quarterbacks on the active roster. Newton and Walker practiced on Saturday, according to three sources with knowledge of the situation. To be in the building, they would have had to test negative. They will travel with the team, one source said.

The two quarterbacks tested on Saturday and will have to test on Sunday.

If Newton and Walker by chance cannot go, running back Reggie Bonnafon would serve as the emergency quarterback. He played some quarterback at Louisville.

This story was originally published December 18, 2021 at 2:06 PM with the headline "Panthers add a starter to COVID-19 list; Cam Newton and P.J. Walker to travel with team."

Jonathan M. Alexander

The Charlotte Observer

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Jonathan M. Alexander is a native of Charlotte. He began covering the Carolina Panthers for the Observer in July 2020 after working at the N&O for seven years, where he covered a variety of beats, including UNC basketball and football, Duke basketball, recruiting, K-12 schools, public safety and town government. Support my work with a digital subscription