Despite major injury woes hitting the Carolina Panthers, they're still absolutely worth worrying about - and, the Detroit Lions obviously know this.
Detroit will need a very clean game from their improving offensive line, another cutdown on explosive plays allowed by their secondary, and a steady game from both Jahmyr Gibbs and Jared Goff to make this game a guaranteed victory on the side of the Lions.
On Friday, the Panthers announced that Jalen Coker, Monroe Freeling, Lee Hunter, and Cam Jackson are questionable for Week 4, with Damien Lewis and Xavier Leggette the only players already ruled out. With this injury report in mind, let's take a look at the four Panthers players that the Lions could have their hands full with on Sunday night.
4 Panthers the Lions need to worry about in Week 4
QB Bryce Young
Let's start with the obvious: Young is far from the inexperienced signal caller the Lions played last in 2023. He's a lot more poised in the pocket, and trusts his receivers to make big-time plays. The Panthers have done an excellent job with surrounding him with talent on offense, between Chuba Hubbard at RB1 and receivers like Coker and Tet McMillan.
Detroit struggled with a more mobile quarterback in Josh Allen in Week 2, but Young is not Allen - really, nobody is as slithery as him in the pocket other than perhaps Patrick Mahomes. Young has relied primarily on his arm so far this season, and that could be a big issue for Detroit as they've struggled to defend against the pass this year - they're giving up a league-worst 299.3 passing yards per game.
Getting Young uncomfortable in the pocket while remaining sticky in coverage will be key to taking him out of the game a bit.
EDGE Jaelan Phillips
Phillips, who was a player floated by us at SideLion Report as a potential free agency target this offseason, has gotten off to a solid start in his first season with the Panthers. With two sacks, two tackles for loss, and 12 total sack yards, Phillips has been the exact kind of solid disruptor that Carolina needed on their defense.
Detroit has one of the best pass blocking units in the NFL so far, ranked 2nd overall in pass block win rate. Goff has also been great under pressure, but you obviously don't want the Lions to get too complacent with protecting him, and Gibbs, on offense. Phillips will be a big force to work against in this game.
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WR Tetairoa McMillan
The Panthers will be without Leggette, and Coker is coming off a quad injury to potentially play in this game. So, this could be a big one for McMillan, who has been an ultra-reliable WR2 this season. If Coker is slowed down due to his injury, or if he doesn't play at all, this will force the ball into his hands. Carolina's only other options are tight ends Darren Waller and Tommy Tremble who, to be fair, have gotten off to great starts this season.
But, we can assume that McMillan will be targeted a ton in this game with how much the Lions have struggled to shut off the water of athletic, speedy receivers this season - Chris Olave, Keon Coleman, and Garrett Wilson, to name a few.
LB Devin Lloyd
Lloyd will be back for this game after missing Week 3, and he's sure to be disruptive for the Lions and their process on offense. He's a turnover threat basically everywhere on the field, and a solid pass rusher for the Panthers.
He'll need to be monitored in this game, especially while in coverage against Detroit's tight end unit. His two picks in two games will probably have Goff looking anywhere other than in his direction to avoid any unnecessarily risky passes.
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