On Thursday, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said it’s “more than likely” that defensive end Charles Johnson will miss Sunday’s game at Miami. Per a league source, the chances of Johnson playing are even less than that.
It would be a major surprise, we’re told, if Johnson plays only six days after suffering an MCL injury, thanks to a leg whip from Patriots tackle Marcus Cannon.
The MCL heals with time and rest. While the Panthers could use Johnson for upcoming games against the Dolphins and Buccaneers, the best approach could be to get healed up in advance of the first of two showdowns with the Saints.
Johnson has 8.5 sacks in 10 games. His career high is 12.5.