Coker missed Carolina’s first practice on Wednesday, but he put in limited work on both Thursday and Friday, and the questionable tag opened the door to him playing in Week 4.

Unfortunately, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday morning that Coker was “unlikely to play” on Sunday night. His report proved right, as Coker is inactive for the Panthers against the Lions in Week 4.

Wide receiver depth chart

McMillan can be a one-man offense when he gets rolling, and his presence here helps cover for a multitude of sins. Plus, Tremayne has come on of late when given an opportunity, and the Panthers boast a deep tight end room with Tommy Tremble, Darren Waller, and Mitchell Evans.

Still, though, it is hard not to look at this depth chart and wonder what could have been — and for how much longer Young and head coach Dave Canales can keep this offense afloat.

There is just very little in the way of proven NFL production behind T-Mac, which will allow even a vulnerable secondary like Detroit’s to key on him and make somebody else beat them. Coker had been filling that void expertly through two weeks, but at a certain point you run out of bodies.

What Coker provided

Coker put up a whopping 16 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns across Carolina’s first two games and seemed poised for a breakout year three. Unfortunately, he won’t be able to play tonight.

Key takeaways

• Jalen Coker is not playing against Detroit on Sunday Night Football.
• Tommy Tremble, Darren Waller, and Mitchell Evans form a deep tight end room.
• 16 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns were compiled across two games.

Detroit bounced back from a Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills with a win over the New York Jets, advancing to 2-1 on the young season. Now, it’s off to Carolina to take on a reigning division champion, the Panthers.

On the Panthers’ side, after blowing out the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, the Carolina Panthers suffered a setback this past week, falling to the Cleveland Browns 21-18. That puts them at 1-2 for the season.

Both franchises have their quarterback depth charts established ahead of the prime-time matchup. The Lions feature Jared Goff as their starting quarterback, with Joshua Dobbs serving as the first backup. For the Panthers, Bryce Young leads the offense as QB1, backed up by Kenny Pickett at QB2 and Haynes King as QB3.

What the Lions will need

Goff remains one of the NFL‘s most efficient quarterbacks early in this season, as he has yet to throw an interception and ranks fourth in passing yards up to this point. He can enter early MVP talks if he puts on another show in front of a national audience.

Goff will have his primary weapon available in Jahmyr Gibbs, who continues to be one of the best backs in the league and is expected to be utilized heavily once again. With teams continuing to play shell coverages against the Lions, he can be used as a receiver as well. Vaki continues to improve in pass protection and has seen his role grow as the second option.

What the Panthers will need

On Young’s side, if the Panthers want any shot of competing against the Lions—given the absence of Jalen Coker—in what is set up to be a potential shootout, Carolina will need a big game from quarterback Bryce Young and McMillan, his top target.

The Lions lead the NFL in passing yards allowed this season, and this matchup is perfect for Carolina to air the ball out against this struggling secondary. It is also a bounce-back opportunity for McMillan, who had just two receptions for 17 yards last week.

Key takeaways

• A 2-1 record was reached by Detroit entering the Sunday night matchup.
• Jared Goff is QB1 for Detroit, with Joshua Dobbs serving as backup.
• Bryce Young leads Carolina as QB1, backed up by Kenny Pickett.

Sanders had been viewed as a potential option to take over if Watson struggled during the opening weeks of the season. Several reports suggested that Shedeur could get his opportunity against Carolina if the veteran failed to establish himself as the team’s QB1. However, Cleveland’s victory in Tampa Bay changed the situation.

Watson will therefore remain under center for the Browns’ home opener, while Sanders is expected to serve as his backup. The decision delays that opportunity to become a starter, although his position on the depth chart could remain an important storyline as the season progresses.

Who’s Browns starting quarterback vs Panthers?

Deshaun Watson is the Browns’ starting quarterback, with Shedeur Sanders serving as his backup. Rookie Taylen Green is also part of the quarterback room, while Dillon Gabriel is currently on injured reserve. This leaves Sanders in the second position on Cleveland’s depth chart, giving him an opportunity to step in if Watson is unavailable or the coaching staff decides to make a change.

Sanders’ position is particularly important because the Browns have multiple young quarterbacks competing for future opportunities. If another team becomes interested in acquiring him, Cleveland could consider its options, although there is no confirmed indication that a trade is currently being pursued.

For now, the Browns appear committed to Watson as their starter, while Sanders remains the primary backup. His future role will depend on Watson’s performance and the team’s needs as the season progresses.

Key takeaways

• Deshaun Watson remains the starting quarterback against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.
• Shedeur Sanders stays in the primary backup role for the Cleveland Browns.
• Taylen Green is QB3, while Dillon Gabriel is on injured reserve.

How to watch Panthers vs Texans in the USA

The Houston Texans vs. Carolina Panthers preseason game will be available to watch live in the USA through Fubo and NFL+.

Can I watch Panthers vs Texans for free?

Fubo offers a 5-day free trial that can be used to watch the game. The current listings promote a free trial and specifically feature the Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers game as available to stream live on the platform.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Panthers vs. Texans preseason finale is less about the final score and more about the decisions that come immediately afterward. With the regular season approaching and roster cuts looming, both teams will use the matchup to make final evaluations on players fighting for roster spots, particularly those competing for depth roles.

Houston enters the final week after a 22-20 loss to the Raiders, while Carolina has one more preseason game to evaluate its roster before turning the page to the regular season.

For the Texans, the final preseason game comes at a particularly important moment. Houston has several position battles still being shaped by injuries and recent roster moves, including questions at wide receiver, running back, linebacker and along the offensive line.

The team also recently added Kayshon Boutte while dealing with the season-ending injury to Jayden Higgins, making the final preseason reps valuable for players trying to secure one of the remaining spots on the 53-man roster.

The Panthers have a different consideration heading into the finale: how much work to give their starters. Carolina has already played an additional preseason game because of its appearance in the Hall of Fame Game, and the coaching staff must balance evaluation with keeping key players healthy.

What time is the Panthers vs Texans match?

The Panthers vs Texans game kicks off on Friday, August 28, at 7:00 PM ET at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Texans’ official schedule lists the game at 6:00 PM CT, while the Panthers and NFL list the kickoff at 7:00 PM ET.

• Eastern Time: 7:00 PM
• Central Time: 6:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 5:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 4:00 PM

Carolina aims to bounce back from a tough campaign last season, counting on additions like running back AJ Dillon and tight end Darren Waller to jumpstart the offense.

Houston also looks to contend, relying on offseason acquisitions David Montgomery, Logan Hall, and Reed Blankenship to make an immediate impact on both sides of the ball.

Who is the starting quarterback for Panthers vs. Texans?

Kenny Pickett and Kyle Trask are expected to split playing time. Haynes King is sidelined with a hamstring injury and Bryce Young will be resting for this matchup against Houston Texans, according to head coach Dave Canales.

Dalton should see snaps as well, giving Carolina valuable depth and insurance behind their starter. If he gets the chance to play, he could be a great support in the offense, as any injury could happen during the NFL regular season.

Who is the starting quarterback for Texans vs. Panthers?

Davis Mills and Brett Rypien are expected to lead the offense, as CJ Stroud will be resting for this preseason finale against the Panthers, according to head coach DeMeco Ryans. However, Stroud is expected to lead the Texans unit eager to establish momentum heading into Week 1.

Both squads come in off contrasting performances: Carolina earned a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Houston dropped a close one to the Las Vegas Raiders.

How to watch Jaguars vs Panthers in the USA

The preseason game will be available to stream on NFL+ in the United States. Fubo will also stream the game live, with its platform specifically listing Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars for August 21.

Can I watch Jaguars vs Panthers for free?

Yes, eligible new Fubo subscribers can watch Jaguars vs. Panthers through the 5-day free trial. It currently offers free trials on select plans, and its official listing confirms this specific game is available on the platform.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers meet in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason, but Friday’s matchup carries more significance than a typical exhibition game. Jacksonville opened its preseason with a 24-20 comeback win over the New Orleans Saints, while Carolina is coming off its preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills.

The Jaguars will also host a joint practice with the Panthers before the game, giving both coaching staffs an additional opportunity to evaluate their players in competitive situations.

For Jacksonville, the biggest storyline is the expected return of the starters. Head coach Liam Coen said the Jaguars are trending toward playing their first-team players against Carolina, after keeping them out of the preseason opener.

That could mean valuable preseason snaps for quarterback Trevor Lawrence and other key starters as Jacksonville prepares for the regular season. The decision comes as the team manages several offensive-line injuries involving Walker Little, Patrick Mekari and Chuma Edoga.

Carolina also has important roster questions to resolve. Running back Chuba Hubbard is dealing with a hamstring injury and is considered week-to-week, meaning the Panthers could continue giving additional work to other backs while protecting one of their most important offensive players. Hubbard rushed for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 and remains a major part of Carolina’s plans when healthy.

What time is the Jaguars vs Panthers match?

The game kicks off on Friday, August 21, at 7:30 PM ET. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 7:30 PM
• Central Time: 6:30 PM
• Mountain Time: 5:30 PM
• Pacific Time: 4:30 PM

Per Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, starters will get some action. Trevor Lawrence and others will get “a couple drives, potentially” against the Panthers. While that might be less than a quarter, at least Lawrence and company will get a football feel out of the game.

“You set a schedule, and timing and circumstances, things change and you have to pivot a little bit… I think we need a little bit more padded work against each other, good on good,” Coen said.

Will Bryce Young play for Panthers vs Jaguars?

It’s expected that Bryce Young plays for the Panthers vs Jaguars on a snap count as well, alongside other starters. Dave Canales saw Young and Offensive Rookie of the Year wideout Tet McMillan shine vs Jaguars in joint practice, so he might want to keep that momentum rolling.

It also looks like the offense might be taking another approach. As McMillan said, “We gotta stop trying to be cute.” And that is true, the Panthers don’t have a reputation for being an aggressive offense, though a change of pace could serve them well.

Both quarterbacks have pressure on their shoulders

Trevor Lawrence has had two great years in the NFL and a lot of bad ones. The Jags know both the highs and lows of Lawrence, and still plaid him. However, Lawrence needs to prove that he can sustain the level he showed last year in a consistent basis.

Meanwhile, Bryce Young is playing to remain as the Panthers QB1, as he is in his fourth year, but if he wants to get a huge extension, he must deliver and guide the Panthers into the NFL playoffs once again.

“Everybody that’s healthy is going to be playing out there on Saturday,” the head coach Joe Brady said Thursday during his press conference regarding Allen‘s status. Number 17 is the team’s biggest star, and his health will allow him to play several snaps.

ESPN and National NFL reporter Cameron Wolfe revealed on X the latest on Bryce Young’s status for this matchup in Orchard Park: “Bryce Young will plan 10-15 snaps today with starters. He’s having his best training camp as a pro, per multiple Panthers contacts.”

With Allen as the top star

Heading into the 2026 NFL season, the Buffalo Bills are determined to maintain their reign as top contenders in the AFC East, driven by the elite leadership and dual-threat prowess of superstar quarterback Josh Allen. Coming off a strong 2025 campaign where they posted an impressive 12-5 record, Buffalo remains focused on making another deep playoff run.

As they fine-tune their roster, the Bills will build momentum through their upcoming preseason matchups, traveling to face the Cleveland Browns on August 22 before returning home to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 27.

Carolina looks to pull off an upset

Building off an 8-9 finish in 2025 that saw them capture the NFC South title, the Carolina Panthers enter this campaign all-in on Bryce Young as their centerpiece to elevate the offense to the next level.

While the young franchise quarterback anchors their aspirations, Carolina is working through preseason adjustments—including navigating a hamstring injury sustained by Haynes King against the Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game—as they tune up in remaining exhibition matchups at the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 21 and home against the Houston Texans on August 28.

How to watch Bills vs Panthers in the USA

The Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills NFL preseason matchup will be available to stream live on NFL+ and Fubo. This is the only streaming option for Bills fans outside the local market, with the service carrying live preseason games.

Can I watch Bills vs Panthers for free?

Yes, viewers can watch Bills vs. Panthers for free with Fubo‘s 5-day free trial. The game is available throughthe platform, and it currently advertises the matchup with the option to start a free trial and watch for $0 today.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Buffalo Bills open their 2026 preseason against the Carolina Panthers at Highmark Stadium, but Saturday’s matchup carries extra interest because Buffalo plans to put Josh Allen and its other healthy starters on the field.

The Bills are coming off a 12-5 season that ended with a Divisional Round loss to Denver, and the preseason opener will give the coaching staff an early opportunity to evaluate the team before the regular season begins.

Allen’s appearance is one of the main storylines in Buffalo. The quarterback will get his first game action of the new season, while several roster battles will also be under the spotlight.

DJ Moore has impressed during training camp, while Josh Palmer and Keon Coleman are competing for a larger role at wide receiver. On defense, rookie linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr has emerged as one of the players to watch after making a strong impression during camp.

Carolina arrives with its own important evaluations to make. The Panthers already played the Hall of Fame Game against Arizona on August 6, but Buffalo represents a tougher test and will be the first preseason matchup in which Carolina’s starters are expected to play.

Head coach Dave Canales has confirmed that the starters will see action, while running back Jonathon Brooks is set to return to game action after missing the 2025 season with injury.

The Panthers also need to manage their quarterback situation carefully. Bryce Young remains the starter, while Haynes King is dealing with a hamstring injury suffered during the Hall of Fame Game. Carolina recently added Kyle Trask to its quarterback room, but Young is expected to receive an opportunity to work with the first-team offense against Buffalo.

What time is the Bills vs Panthers match?

The Bills vs. Panthers game kicks off on Saturday, August 15, at 1:00 PM ET. The game will be played at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 1:00 PM
• Central Time: 12:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 11:00 AM
• Pacific Time: 10:00 AM

The fact is that preseason games are merely that, preparation for the regular season, and not even as much. Plenty of starters sit around and don’t play preseason games, even if it is the NFL Hall of Fame Game. Hence, that’s why Jeremiyah Love is not playing for the Cardinals vs Panthers.

The reason is quite simple. Head coaches don’t want to risk any star player suffering an injury or getting unnecessary contact before the actual season starts. After all, an injury in preseason could really affect how the regular season goes.

What happens if the Cardinals beat the Panthers?

If the Cardinals beat the Panthers at the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game, nothing really matters. It might show some of the new looks and schemes that new offensive-driven head coach Mike LaFleur has been trying to impregnate on the team are actually working.

It can give a few standout players from the game vs Panthers a boost to make it into the final 53-man roster, but not more than that. In fact, you can see who the Cardinals starting quarterback will be vs the Panthers and that will put into perspective the relevance of this game.

What happens if the Cardinals tie vs Panthers?

If the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers tie during a preseason matchup like the Hall of Fame Game, the game simply ends in a tie after overtime, with no impact on the regular-season standings.

What happens if the Cardinals lose vs Panthers?

A loss has no negative impact on either team’s regular-season record, standings, or playoff chances. It literally doesn’t matter. The most important thing in preseason games is to not suffer injuries and trying to implement some of their new schemes.

Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love is not playing in the Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers because head coach Mike LaFleur chose to hold out projected starters. Given that Love is a high-value player, he won’t be risked in this game.

Love was the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Love also leads the running backs in guaranteed money. Hence, it’s projected that Love will play a major role in the Cardinals’ offense this season. The Cardinals have also confirmed their starting quarterback for the game vs. Panthers.

The Cardinals have a numerous RB depth chart

Jeremiyah Love is the new shiny toy on the roster. However, the Cardinals also brought in Tyler Allgeier, and they already had the always-serviceable James Conner, alongside Trey Benson, and Bam Knight.

Those are too many names as Conner has been a starting-caliber running back for years. Also Allgeier was very good for the Falcons, and now they have Love. There is little to no space for the rest of the backs, so the NFL preseason will be key for the other names to stay on the roster.

Who will get the most looks at RB for the Cardinals vs Panthers?

Trey Benson is dealing with an injury and Conner, Allgeier, and Love are pretty much discarded or dealing with another couple of injuries. Hence, it can be Bam Knight’s moment to shine against the Panthers.