Panthers notebook: Mayfield and Horn injury updates, Marshall looks to build on return
Rainy weather set the tone for the first practice of Steve Wilks’ interim head-coaching tenure with the Carolina Panthers.
While the wet, soggy field was nearly full with Panthers personnel on Wednesday, starting quarterback Baker Mayfield (ankle) and cornerback Jaycee Horn (ribs) were sidelined for the fully padded workout.
Mayfield, who suffered a high ankle sprain against the San Francisco 49ers this past Sunday, was not seen on the field or in the practice bubble during the open portion of practice. High ankle sprains are typically multiple week injuries, but Mayfield played nearly the entire second half of the loss to the 49ers with an injured left leg.
Wilks confirmed that the Panthers are approaching Mayfield’s injury outlook as day-to-day, as The Observer reported before practice. Wilks said that after speaking to Mayfield on Wednesday, there remains a possibility that he plays on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
Wilks admitted that he would need to see Mayfield in practice this week before allowing him to play in Week 6.
“I think it’s important that he has the reps and the timing, so he can go out there and execute,” Wilks said. “And, as we always talk about, be one of 11. It would be hard for me to put him out there this week if he doesn’t practice.”
PJ Walker and Jacob Eason, who is on the practice squad, were the only quarterbacks on the field in pads during practice. Sam Darnold, who remains on injured reserve with his own high ankle sprain, was seen in a shirt and shorts during the workout.
Regarding Horn, the team’s top cornerback, Wilks said there’s a possibility that he could still play against the Rams.
“We had pads today, so I didn’t want him to go out and make any contact with the ribs,” Wilks said. “He had today off and we’ll see exactly how he is tomorrow.”
Linebacker Frankie Luvu (shoulder) and safety Xavier Woods (hamstring), who both didn’t play in the loss to the 49ers, practiced. Luvu was listed as a full participant, while Woods was listed as limited. Along with Woods, cornerback C.J. Henderson (knee) and tight end Stephen Sullivan (back) were both limited.
Like Mayfield and Horn, cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver (thigh) and wide receiver Laviska Shenault (hamstring) were also held out of practice. Running back Christian McCaffrey was on the field with the team but did not wear pads, as Wednesday is his customary veteran player’s day off.
Also, despite being a full participant in practice, wideout DJ Moore was listed on the injury report with a shoulder injury.
Burris believes in Wilks after stint in Cleveland
While Wilks has plenty of familiarity with the secondary and the defense, safety Juston Burris is among the longest-tenured pupils of the interim head coach in Carolina.
Burris played for Wilks when the pair was in Cleveland in 2019. Wilks served as the Browns’ defensive coordinator, while Burris was a young safety battling to make the roster.
During that time, the duo connected and that relationship has carried over to the Panthers three years later.
“Just a great man,” Burris said Wednesday. “He’s going to teach you how to be a good football player but also teach you how to be a great person. A lot of the things he says, you can take back to your personal life. A lot of the messages, I try to take back to my family and my friends. Just try to impart his wisdom. A great role model to have in the room.”
Burris believes Wilks was the right guy to take over for fired head coach Matt Rhule.
“Obviously, we’re sad about how Coach Rhule went out,” Burris said. “Obviously, we wanted to be successful for him. This whole locker room loved Rhule, but with Coach Wilks, we’re going to try to make a winner, try to create a winner.”
Given his experience with Wilks, Burris thinks the interim head coach can make a difference during the final 12 games of the season.
“We just got to go out there and work for him,” Burris said. “We want him to be successful, and we want to be successful as a team.”
Terrace Marshall Jr. looks to build on first game back
After missing back-to-back games as a healthy scratch, 2021 second-round pick Terrace Marshall Jr. was active for the 37-15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers last week.
Marshall played 26 snaps and caught four passes for 30 yards.
In Week 6, the second-year wideout is looking build on that return to the lineup.
“Stay consistent every day,” Marshall said. “Come into work with my head down, grinding and doing my job.”
Marshall, to this point, has struggled to make consistent plays. His two-week benching served as a wake-up call of sorts, and now the LSU alum is trying to get back into a groove.
Through 15 career games, Marshall has caught 21 passes for 168 yards.
With a new head coach overseeing the roster, Marshall, who just turned 22 in June, is looking to take over during the final 12 games of the year.
“You always got to get in the rhythm of things,” Marshall said. “I feel like I’ve got my feet wet again for this year, and I’m ready to go.”
This story was originally published October 12, 2022 at 5:07 PM with the headline "Panthers notebook: Mayfield and Horn injury updates, Marshall looks to build on return."
