The Panthers returned from their four-day ‘mini-break’ much healthier than they have been in a while. Bené Benwikere was the only guy designated to the exercise bike.Here are updates for each injured player:
Running back Fozzy Whittaker
Sore quad since Week 2; “Fozzy did a lot more than I thought he would today, so that was a pleasing sight to see.” — head coach Ron Rivera
Wide receiver Philly Brown
Out last two games with a concussion; “I’ve been sitting at home in a dark room for two weeks, so it’s good to get outside and run around.” — Brown
Left tackle Byron Bell
Missed Saints game with ankle and knee injuries; “I feel great. I had to get the swelling out of my knee and my elbow. We’re going to take it nice and light this week. I’m going to practice full, and I’ll be ready to go for Monday.” — Bell
Left guard Amini Silatolu
Out since straining his calf in Week 5; Panthers should have left side of their line intact Monday night; “Practice felt good. Calf felt good. 100 percent. No hesitations. I’m ready to go.” — Silatolu
Right guard Trai Turner
Suffered knee and ankle sprains in Week 7; Likely out at least another week; Andrew Norwell switched from the left side and took reps with the starters; “I did a few things today, went through individual, had a few plays in practice, but not as much as I wanted to do.” — Turner
Cornerback Bené Benwikere
Out since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 5; the Panthers could really use their No. 1 nickel corner against the Eagles, but they will likely have to go at least another week without him; “Watching him yesterday on the treadmill do some of the things they were having him do — the side shuffle stuff, the backpedal stuff — he looked pretty fluid. But then the straight ahead, that was hard on him. He got out there today, ran out a little bit, looked ok, but not close to where you need him right now.” — Rivera
Safety Thomas DeCoud
Missed Saints game with a sore hamstring; “Those four days off paid dividends. I felt like I was 18 again. It was good to get back out there again with the guys, I felt like a little kid, excited to be out there.” — DeCoud