Panthers reportedly expected to be without starting defender in Week 2 matchup vs. Falcons - Panthers Wire

The Carolina Panthers are likely to be without one of their starting pass rushers for the second week in a row.

According to ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler, outside linebacker Pat Jones II is not expected to play in this afternoon's matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. The sixth-year defender, who also missed last Sunday's regular-season opener against the Chicago Bears, is currently nursing a back injury.

Jones was listed as a limited participant in practice throughout the week. Friday's injury report deemed him questionable for the team's Week 2 outing.

2025 saw Jones, in the first season of his two-year, $15 million pact with Carolina, appear in only four games due to a separate back injury. He underwent surgery following the Panthers' Week 6 win over the Dallas Cowboys and would not return before the end of the campaign.

With Jones injured, the Panthers—as they did in Week 1—elevated fellow outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon from the practice squad on Saturday.

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