Mike Kaye - Panthers beat writer

What Buccaneers’ loss vs. Falcons means for Panthers in NFC South division race The Thursday Night Football matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons had a direct impact on the Panthers’ playoff hopes.

The Falcons did the #Panthers a HUGE favor on Thursday Night Football.

What the Buccaneers' Week 15 loss means for Carolina's pathway to the playoffs (and a division title): www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

Everyone officially practiced in a full capacity today for the #Panthers. Bingo!

The #Panthers have full attendance for the second consecutive practice in front of media.

This isn’t a walkthrough like Wednesday.

Panthers’ Damien Lewis has been a hero in the trenches. His OC explains why When the Panthers signed him to a contract in 2024, the move got lost in the shuffle of other additions. He’s been excellent in 2025.

"It’s just always good to look over on the left side and see 68 there."

#Panthers LG Damien Lewis is having a Pro Bowl-worthy season.

He's been sturdy as a pass blocker, and his work in the run game is hard not to notice.

Brad Idzik on an O-line hero: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

NFL finalizes date and time for Panthers vs. Seahawks in Week 17 in Charlotte The Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks can finally mark their calendars. The NFL has finalized its schedule for Week 17.

No more intrigue: A Sunday Fun Day for #Panthers in Week 17: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

Tight games have been a #Panthers specialty under Dave Canales.

Nearly half of Canales’ games in Carolina have come down to 8 points or less.

He’s 10-4 in those matchups.

@charlotteobserver.com polled the locker room to understand why: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

Today’s practice was considered a walkthrough. The #Panthers gave out estimations of the participation:

Claudin Cherelus (concussion) - LP

Jayce Horn (concussion) - LP

Cade Mays (ankle) - FP

Lathan Ransom (thumb) - FP

Christian Rozeboom (hip/hamstring) - FP

Full attendance for the #Panthers at practice, at least as far as helmets and uniforms.

Lathan Ransom (hand) is working with teammates.

Why a Week 15 win vs. Saints would be vital insurance for Panthers’ playoff hopes The Processing Blue podcast is back! Beat writer Mike Kaye and columnist Scott Fowler discuss the Panthers’ rematch vs. the Saints and more.

Are you ready to process some blue?

Join Scott Fowler and me as we break down the playoff picture and the NFC South race on a new episode of the #ProcessingBlue podcast.

Plus, our biggest #Panthers concerns heading into the final stretch 👂👂👂: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

How Panthers’ enforcer Tre’von Moehrig handled NFL suspension amid playoff push After serving a one-game NFL suspension for a low blow, Carolina Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig is back and ready to make a playoff push.

Tre’von Moehrig is back.

After serving a one-game suspension for a low blow, he wants to help punch the #Panthers’ ticket to the playoffs.

Moehrig’s perspective on watching the win over the Rams from afar and the impending playoff push:
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

Why Panthers’ Week 15 matchup against the Saints is important for playoff push The Panthers returned from their bye week on Monday. The Charlotte Observer was at Bank of America Stadium for all the latest from Mint St.

The #Panthers’ Week 15 battle with the Saints will be an important one.

Carolina can’t bank on beating the Bucs twice.

More on that and some big injury updates: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez named 2025 Bronko Nagurski trophy winner Jacob Rodriguez was named the 2025 Bronko Nagurski trophy winner on Monday in uptown. More on the latest addition to college football lore.

The annual Bronko Nagurski awards ceremony in Charlotte featured honors for Ron Rivera, Austin Corbett and several local athletes.

Plus, Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez joined some #Panthers LB royalty with the biggest win of the night: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/colle...

The NFL has finalized the Week 16 schedule and #Panthers-#Bucs remains at 1 pm next week.

Durable, dependable, disruptive: How Panthers’ Mike Jackson is making big impact The cornerback has made the most of his time with the Panthers following a 2024 training camp trade. In Year 2, he’s only gotten better.

When the #Panthers traded a rookie linebacker for a journeyman cornerback during the 2024 preseason, there was little buzz.

Flash forward 30 games later: Mike Jackson is one of Carolina's solidified starters on defense with as many PBUs as games played: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

Pro Bowl voting update:
- #Panthers CB Jaycee Horn is No. 1 among CBs
- Derrick Brown is sixth among DTs
- JJ Jansen is No. 10 among LS
- Rico Dowdle is No. 7 among RBs
- Tetairoa McMillan is No. 6 among WRs
- Tre'von Moehrig is 7th among strong safeties

Why Panthers’ Week 15 matchup against the Saints is important for playoff push The Panthers returned from their bye week on Monday. The Charlotte Observer was at Bank of America Stadium for all the latest from Mint St.

#Panthers notebook:
- Why the Saints rematch is very important to the Carolina playoff push
- Five contributors return to practice
- Update on Rob Hunt and Lanthan Ransom
- Some stats to keep track of

READ HERE: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

Safety Lathan Ransom (hand) isn’t in drills for the #Panthers.

Jaycee Horn (concussion) and Cade Mays (ankle) also back for #Panthers

Tre’von Moehrig (back from suspension) and Christian Rozeboom (hip/hamstring) both drove to practice with helmets and uniforms. #Panthers

Durable, dependable, disruptive: How Panthers’ Mike Jackson is making big impact The cornerback has made the most of his time with the Panthers following a 2024 training camp trade. In Year 2, he’s only gotten better.

Mike Jackson has been a durable, dependable and disruptive cornerback for the #Panthers since arriving in Charlotte in 2024.

Why he’s been everything the team could ask for opposite Jaycee Horn:
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

It’s the Tracy McGrady-like fadeaway throw that does it for me.

I wouldn’t count on anything with them set to get Evans, Wirfs, etc. back this week. But that is correct.

The NFC South is tied at the top after the Saints upset the Bucs.

Panthers and Bucs are both 7-6 with a home loss to the Saints.

Panthers fan? Subscribe to these essential Charlotte Observer newsletters Get exclusive Panthers analysis and opininons straight to your inbox with these free newsletters. Sign up here.

Coming to your email inbox Monday: Access #Panthers newsletter with thoughts on the pass rush, the future of the center spot and the next two NFC South games.

Sign up for FREE (no strings attached) for the twice weekly newsletter:

www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

#Panthers special teams standout Thomas Incoom ($5,722) and safety Lathan Ransom ($5,966) were both fined for unnecessary roughness penalties against the Rams.

Incoom was flagged for a late hit on the opening kickoff, while Ransom was flagged for using his helmet in the 2Q.

The #Panthers have re-signed CB Kalen King to the p-squad.

Should Panthers pick up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option? Weighing the cost Panthers beat writer Mike Kaye and columnist Scott Fowler discuss Bryce Young’s pending fifth-year option as Carolina chills on bye week.

Lunchtime listening: On the latest episode of the Processing Blue podcast, Scott Fowler and I discuss the decision on Bryce Young’s fifth-year option.

Plus, we took a look at the #Panthers’ final four games of the season: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

Most encouraging, discouraging aspects of Panthers’ 2025 season before bye week? The Panthers enter the bye week with a 7-6 record. With fans curious about the future, the mailbag is back to answer some questions.

Lunchtime reading: Answering #Panthers mailbag questions about: the ups and downs of 2025 at the bye week, Robert Hunt’s status and Derrick Brown’s Carolina legacy:

www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

The #Panthers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year winner is C Austin Corbett.

The national winner will be announced during Super Bowl week at the NFL Honors.

Previous three #Panthers winners: Adam Thielen (24), Bradley Bozeman (23), Derrick Brown (22)

Dowdle, Brown among Carolina Panthers players worthy of Pro Bowl consideration The Panthers are as competitive as they’ve been in some time. So, naturally, some of their standout players should be recognized for it.

Having trouble figuring out which #Panthers players to vote for during Pro Bowl fan voting?

I highlighted some worthy candidates with Carolina at 7-6: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...