Panthers designate Brooks (core) to return from IR

The Carolina Panthers opened 21-day practice windows on Wednesday for cornerback Mike Jackson, wide receiver Xavier Legette and running back Jonathon Brooks to return from injured reserve, according to the Associated Press via Yahoo Sports. Outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, guard Damien Lewis and cornerback Will Lee III also returned to practice after missing time with injuries, while offensive lineman Brady Christensen entered his second week in his 21-day window. The team is also hopeful to get left tackle Ickey Ekwonu and cornerback Jaycee Horn back in the coming weeks, which would mean five starters — Jackson, Phillips, Lewis, Ekwonu and Horn — and four key reserves potentially returning for the stretch run.

The Panthers have lost three straight games but remain tied with New Orleans for first place in the NFC South at 3-6, with Tampa Bay and Atlanta also 3-6. Coach Dave Canales said it is too early in the week to know who will be available for Sunday's road game against the Saints. "The guys who can help us right now, we will have them up," Canales said. He added that one reason the Panthers were quiet at the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday is that they have so many players returning from injuries. "I'm excited about the guys that we have that are staring right at us and are going to come back to us in whatever order that may look like," Canales said. "We feel really strong about this group and I have a lot of confidence in the guys that we have in this locker room."

Carolina's secondary has been hit hard with Jackson and Horn missing the last five games. With Lee and Akayleb Evans also hurt, the Panthers were down to starting their fifth and sixth cornerbacks — Marco Wilson and Corey Thornton — on Sunday against the Denver Broncos. That duo combined for five defensive pass interference penalties in a 26-21 loss. Jackson led the NFL in pass breakups last season with 19. Horn, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, likely won't see the field until December after tearing his quadriceps in Week 3. Canales said he wants his cornerbacks to continue playing aggressively regardless of who is available. "We want them to keep challenging," Canales said. "We have another set of fantastic wide receivers and we're going to have to get our hands on them, be physical, be aggressive and attack the ball at the catch. ... I love the way the guys were attacking on the outside and I'm not going to call the dogs off. I want them to continue to be aggressive."

Legette started the season as Carolina's No. 3 receiver. Brooks, a second-round pick in 2024, has only played in five games since joining the Panthers. Phillips is the team's top pass rusher and biggest free agent acquisition this past offseason. Ekwonu, when ready, would step in at left tackle and replace Rasheed Walker, who gave up a game-sealing sack-fumble last week to Denver's Nik Bonitto. The Saints' second-year quarterback Tyler Shough has thrown for 1,986 yards and 14 touchdowns with six interceptions this season, including 265 yards and a touchdown in last week's 23-22 win over the Browns.