Carolina Panthers injury update includes star safety on list of players ruled out for Lions matchup

On Friday, the Carolina Panthers wrapped up their final practice before heading to Detroit for their matchup with the Detroit Lions on Sunday as team owner David Tepper watched from the sidelines.

After an 0-4 start to the season with an offense that has struggled to create explosive plays and a fanbase rowing impatient for a win, Frank Reich declared he is sticking to his plan to wait for the opportunities to come to him and the Panthers offense.

The Friday injury report listed Xavier Woods as a non-participant in practice for the third consecutive day. Woods has been ruled out for Sunday's game.

Linebacker Frankie Luvu, who was limited in practice all week with a hip pointer, is trending toward playing this Sunday according to Reich's Friday update. And cornerback Donte Jackson, who suffered a shoulder injury against the Vikings during the team's Week-4 loss, still remains questionable for Sunday after being a full participant in practice.

Guard Austin Corbett and Tight End Stephen Sullivan were listed at full participation for Friday's practice but both have been ruled out for Sunday. Corbett - still working to get back into the lineup since being released from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list - has approximately three weeks left to recover and prepare to be back on the 53-man roster.

Running back Miles Sanders (Hamstring) was also a full participant in practice with no injury designation.

While the Panthers defensive front has made a big impact this season, the secondary has been tested with longer term injuries to star players like Jaycee Horn (Hamstring), Xavier Woods (Hamstring) and Donte Jackson (Shoulder). But Frank Reich is confident in the unit's ability to continue with its patchwork of talent to continue to achieve the high-level pass defense. One such player that Reich has been pleased with lately is safety Sam Franklin Jr. who set a franchise record with his 99-yard pick-6 against Kirk Cousins and the Vikings in Week-4. "I think we've said from the beginning that we like our depth as a secondary that's been put to the test a little bit," Reich said.

"Sam stepping up, making the plays he's made back there just breeds confidence."

The Panthers face the Lions this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET at Ford Field in Detroit.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

PLAYER NAME POS INJURY WED THU FRI STATUS

Xavier Woods FS Hamstring DNP DNP DNP OUT

Claudin Cherelus LB Ankle LP LP FP ---

Donte Jackson CB Shoulder LP LP FP QUESTIONABLE

Frankie Luvu LB Hip LP LP LP ---

Giovanni Ricci TE Shoulder LP LP FP ---

Miles Sanders RB Groin LP LP FP ---

DeShawn Williams DT Elbow LP LP FP ---

Austin Corbett G Knee LP LP FP OUT

Stephen Sullivan TE Hip LP LP FP OUT

DETROIT LIONS

PLAYER NAME POS INJURY WED THU FRI STATUS

Brian Branch CB Ankle DNP DNP Unspecified

Jason Cabinda FB Knee DNP DNP Unspecified

Amon-Ra St. Brown WR Abdomen DNP DNP Unspecified

Taylor Decker OT Ankle LP LP Unspecified

Kerby Joseph FS Hip LP LP Unspecified

Emmanuel Moseley DB Knee/Hamstring LP LP Unspecified

Julian Okwara LB Shoulder LP LP Unspecified

Josh Reynolds WR Groin LP LP Unspecified

Halapoulivaati Vaitai G Knee LP LP Unspecified

Frank Ragnow C Toe/Rest Player DNP FP Unspecified

Jameson Williams WR Not Injury Rel FP FP Unspecified