CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers open the 2026 NFL regular season against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 13 (1 p.m. ET, Fox) at Bank of America Stadium. But first, they play one more preseason game Friday against the Houston Texans (7 p.m. ET) and then must cut their roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Who will make the team? Which positions have tough decisions on deck? And where might the lineup be deepest and thinnest this season?
Darren Waller, a late-summer arrival, has shaken up the discussion at tight end. A competition for the second inside linebacker spot, between Trevin Wallace and Claudin Cherelus, still seems unsettled heading into the final week of the preseason. Plus, undrafted rookie quarterback Haynes King, who earned rave reviews for his performance in Canton, Ohio, earlier this month, is sidelined with a hamstring injury, and his recovery timeline could factor heavily into the roster math on cut-down day.
Here is our projection for the 53-man roster for the Panthers.
Quarterbacks (3)
Bryce Young, Kenny Pickett, Haynes King
Young is entering an all-important campaign with a potential contract extension riding on his success (or lack thereof). Pickett was signed to be Young's experienced backup, and while his passing prowess won't "wow" onlookers, he knows what he's doing when called upon.
King had an explosive debut in the Hall of Fame game earlier this month, but his roster status depends on his hamstring injury sustained during the same outing. For now, though, he's a guy they shouldn't risk to waivers.
Running backs (4)
Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks, Trevor Etienne, AJ Dillon
The Panthers will have a top rotation of Hubbard and Brooks with Etienne backing them up. However, Hubbard's recent hamstring injury and Brooks' history of ACL injuries might force the team to keep four running backs. Dillon has been featured heavily on special teams this summer.
Wide receivers (6)
Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Brycen Tremayne, Ja'seem Reed, Jimmy Horn Jr.
The top trio of McMillan, Coker and Legette was solidified when third-round rookie Chris Brazzell II underwent season-ending knee surgery earlier this month. Reed has flashed regularly during the summer, and Horn has had a nice preseason. Tremayne can play all three wide receiver spots and is among Carolina's top special teams players, so David Moore might need to settle for a practice squad spot.
Tight ends (4)
Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, Ja'Tavion Sanders, Feleipe Franks
The addition of Darren Waller raised eyebrows, but the lack of interest in him before his signing and his lack of workload before cuts could make him more of a practice-squad option, barring a trade of an incumbent tight end. Waller isn't subject to waivers so the Panthers can be strategic with the vested veteran's inclusion in and around the cut-down deadline. Tremble and Evans are likely to serve as the top two inline options at the position, while Sanders works in the slot in two tight end sets if he sticks around. Franks is a special teams standout and the offense made a concerted effort to get him involved in the passing game this summer.
Offensive linemen (8)
Rasheed Walker, Damien Lewis, Luke Fortner, Rob Hunt, Monroe Freeling, Brady Christensen, Sam Hecht, Jake Curhan
With Taylor Moton (blood clot) set to miss time on the non-football illness (NFI) list and Ickey Ekwonu likely to follow suit on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, the Panthers will rely on Walker and Freeling, the team's 2026 first-round pick, at left and right tackle, respectively. Hunt (back) and Lewis (calf) battled injuries this summer as well, but they'll be in the lineup in Week 1. Fortner is the new starting center, while Hecht, a 2026 fifth-round pick, will back him up. Christensen and Curhan are versatile deep reserves in theory. Center Nick Samac and offensive tackle Albert Reese IV should be prioritized for the practice squad if unclaimed on waivers.
Defensive linemen (5)
Derrick Brown, Bobby Brown III, Cam Jackson, Lee Hunter, Aaron Hall
Defensive end Turk Wharton (neck) is likely to start the season on the PUP list. The Panthers will lean on Derrick and Bobby Brown and Jackson in the starting lineup. Hunter, the team's second-round pick this year, and Hall, an undrafted rookie, will fill out the rotation until Wharton returns, though Elijah Garcia and Jared Harrison-Hunte could be options for a potential sixth spot.
Outside linebackers (5)
Jaelan Phillips, Patrick Jones II, Princely Umanmielen, Thomas Incoom, Trevis Gipson
With Nic Scourton set to spend the entire season on injured reserve, the Panthers will need to rely on Jones opposite Phillips in the starting lineup. Umanmielen, last year's third-round pick, should factor heavily into the rotation as well. Incoom and Gipson provide proven special teams value with the ability to rotate into the front seven.
Inside linebackers (5)
Devin Lloyd, Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherelus, Bam Martin-Scott, Jackson Kuwatch
The Panthers might be looking for an upgrade opposite Lloyd over the next few days. Wallace and Cherelus are still competing for the other starting job this summer and neither option has run away with the gig. Martin-Scott is a promising 2025 holdover, who has been a productive special teams player. Kuwatch, the team's 2026 seventh-round pick, is a long-term development keeper.
Cornerbacks (5)
Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, Will Lee III, Chau Smith-Wade, Akayleb Evans
Horn and Jackson form one of the league's better cornerback tandems. Lee, the team's 2026 fourth-round pick, showed encouraging signs in coverage this summer. Smith-Wade and Corey Thornton competed for the starting nickel job in camp and the former has outperformed the latter throughout the summer. Evans is a quality gunner on special teams with experience on defense.
Safeties (5)
Tre'von Moehrig, Nick Scott, Lathan Ransom, Zakee Wheatley, Isaiah Simmons
Moehrig is a Swiss Army knife within the back end of the defense, and Scott is a veteran who the staff appreciates for his communication skills and leadership. Ransom will factor into the "big nickel" package, and he can hold his own as a starter if needed. Wheatley has been an excellent open-field tackler throughout the preseason, and he has the makings of a future starter, while Simmons is going to be a special teams mainstay.
Special teams (3)
JJ Jansen (LS), Sam Martin (P), Ryan Fitzgerald (K)
This trio has been established since Week 1 of last season. Jansen and Martin are as sturdy as they come at their positions, and Fitzgerald had an encouraging rookie campaign.